Mercedes Ellington: The Duke's Granddaughter Dances on Reconstructed Knees

Ever since she was a toddler, Mercedes Ellington has been a talented terpsichorean. Her earliest memories of dance were performing as a tiny brown snowflake in a production of 'The Nutcracker' in the early 1940s. Six decades later, it is clear that dance will always be an integral part of her life.

"It's been my first love, but we've had love-hate relationships," the longtime Harlem resident said laughing.

As granddaughter of famed musician and composer Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, Mercedes, like her father and grandfather, is a pioneer in the arts. She gained international attention in 1963 as the first black member of the June Taylor Dancers, after graduating from the famed Julliard school in New York City. Mercedes went on to have an illustrious career as a dancer, choreographer and teacher is still going strong at a very sexy 70.

These are things that make Mercedes Ellington extraordinary.

What makes her far too ordinary, however, is that she counts herself among the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic knee pain. From athletes and dancers, who put a lot of wear and tear on the knees, to the 40 million Americans who may lead a sedentary lifestyle but suffer from osteoarthritis, the knees can be a consistent source of discomfort.

"You can sometimes go into denial, thinking it will go away or I'll get used to it," said Ellington, who notes that her pain began in the late 1970s. "It affected my balance, and it also limited my bending, my plié. My performances were mainly as a choreographer, and when I would dance, I would adjust it."

Like the 400,000 women who had knee replacement surgery in 2007, Ellington had her first knee replacement 10 years ago, and the other was replaced last August with the Smith & Nephew Journey Knee, enabling this dazzling diva to continue to show off her dance moves.

"When I first tore my ACL, I opted for knee replacement because it took less down time to recuperate," she explained.

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

Ellington, who plans to dance again in May 2009 (she had her most recent surgery in August 2008), says she has been recovering with "positive people" around her as well as lots of physical therapy. This year is the 110th anniversary of her grandfather's birth, and she is planning some activities with her Duke Ellington Foundation for the Arts.

Interestingly, a recent study featured by the Centers for Disease Control showed that total knee replacement (TKR) rate for blacks to be 39 percent lower than for whites. The rate has not improved since a 2000 study when a 37 percent disparity was noted.

"Severe Knee arthritis impacts quality of life. It limits function and causes pain," says Dr. Said A. Ibrahim, MD, MPH. "When all else fails, knee replacement helps people cope with pain and allows them to keep moving. People want relief from pain and disability."

However, like many other health disparities, African Americans continue to suffer when there are treatment options available.

"Our studies show that more often minorities would rather live with the pain and disability then seek this treatment," Dr. Ibrahim told BlackVoices.

"We do not fully know why that is the case," he continues, but studies show that a number of factors including lack of knowledge both from the patient and the community, play a role.

Ellington, however, is obviously all for the surgery. "It enabled me to get back what I thought I forever lost."

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