Raymond Takes the First Step Toward Relief After Years of Knee Pain

After years of debilitating knee pain, drone enthusiast and grandfather of six, Raymond Taluy, finds a "gold standard" for bloodless surgery at Englewood Health.

For more than 50 years, the Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, resident has enjoyed a full life—happily married with three sons and six grandchildren. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Raymond finds fulfillment in sharing his beliefs with others. And in his downtime, he enjoys the technical creativity of flying drones.

However, a persistent limp began to ground his active lifestyle. Severe arthritis in his knees made every step a struggle.

"He was limping, unable to move his knee without pain," says his surgeon, David Feldman, MD. "Whenever he walked, it made it worse. He had taken pain medications, done physical therapy, and tried to modify his activities of daily living, but none of that helped him."

A Confident Choice

Raymond began researching his options, specifically seeking a facility that specialized in transfusion-free medicine. His search led him to Englewood Health.

"I learned that Englewood is one of the leading hospitals in this area, which immediately caught my attention," Raymond says. "When I visited for my pre-surgery appointment, I felt my anxiety decrease considerably. A sense of confidence and peace came over me."

A close friend of Raymond’s, who had undergone a similar procedure, strongly recommended Dr. Feldman. At first, Raymond was leery about traveling to Englewood, which is over 50 miles away from his home. However, the consultation with Dr. Feldman solidified his decision.

"Dr. Feldman carefully explained my condition (bone-on-bone arthritis) and helped me understand the source of my pain," Raymond says. "He told me the decision was mine: I could continue living with the pain, or choose surgery—and if I chose surgery, he would be there with me every step of the way."

Precision Without Transfusion

Dr. Feldman and the surgical team at Englewood Health utilized advanced blood management protocols to ensure a successful outcome without the need for donated blood. This process began long before Raymond entered the operating room.

"I always check hemoglobin levels before surgery for all my patients," Dr. Feldman explains. "Studies show that if you don’t correct low hemoglobin levels prior to surgery, patients don’t do as well. We try to optimize patients—sometimes giving iron, vitamins, or other treatments—so that they have the best possible outcome."

During Raymond’s total knee replacement, Dr. Feldman employed meticulous techniques to minimize blood loss. "I don’t use a tourniquet for total knee replacements," he says. He explains that while a tourniquet can give the illusion of no bleeding, it can actually mask bleeding vessels that become difficult to control once the band is removed. Instead, he notes: "Intraoperatively, we use devices and medications to prevent the patient from bleeding afterward."

Back in Flight

Raymond underwent a successful left knee replacement in 2016. Following the success of the first procedure, he later had his other knee replaced as well.

"He’s done very well," says Dr. Feldman, noting that Englewood’s long-standing commitment to blood management is now being mirrored by other institutions. "It’s been proven over time that the approach Englewood took is the right one because everyone has started following Englewood in practicing better blood management."

Today, Raymond is back to enjoying his family and his hobbies, free from the bone-on-bone pain that once limited him.

"Choosing Englewood was one of the best decisions I made regarding my health," he says. "It’s not just the quality of the medical treatment that stood out, but the way I was treated as a person. That made all the difference."

Published June 2026