Healing that helps you get back to what you love

DENVER, Colo. — For Brandon Kiick, movement has always been more than exercise - it’s joy, identity and a way of connecting with the world. As a lifelong weightlifter and gym security director, staying active wasn’t optional. It was part of who he was.

But when arthritis and old injuries made simple movements painful, life began to shrink. The workouts that energized him became harder. Daily tasks required more effort. He worried about what he might lose if the pain continued.

Brandon wanted more than a quick fix - he wanted a path back to the life he loved. That search led him to AdventHealth Porter Hospital and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Assini, whose reputation for compassionate, personalized care stood out.

From their first conversation, Brandon felt hopeful. Dr. Assini listened closely to the goals Brandon hoped to return to lifting, staying active and moving without hesitation. Together, they chose a cementless total knee replacement, an innovative option designed to support durable strength and a recovery that fit someone with Brandon’s lifestyle.

The care didn’t stop in the operating room. Brandon headed home the same day, supported by AdventHealth’s digital platform that allowed him to message his care team anytime he had a question. Each quick, reassuring response helped him heal with confidence.

What surprised him most was how quickly he felt like himself again.
Though he expected a full recovery to take a year, within six months he was back to his daily routines - pain-free, strong and moving with the freedom he’d missed.
“Sometimes I even forget I’ve had knee surgery,” he shared.

Today, Brandon is lifting weights, staying active and living the life he loves. His surgery didn’t just repair a knee - it restored possibility.

And for him, that’s the heart of healing: care that helps you get back to the moments, passions and routines that make you feel whole.