Patient Stories
Hip Replacement Allows Flight Attendant and Mother of Two To Keep Her Life in the Fast Lane
Julie developed osteoarthritis in her right hip as a result of a childhood illness that led to a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip (also known as avascular necrosis, AVN). Eventually, Julie says, "I started waking up with a little bit of pain. That pain would turn into a great deal of pain after I put in 14 to 16 hours on my feet at work."
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Like many patients who undergo hip replacement surgery, Julie recalls that she experienced a specific key-turning point when she realized that her hip arthritis affected her ability to be a parent. "I prided myself on being the kind of mother who really took the time to play with my children and share my love of the outdoors with them. But eventually I could barely walk. I wasn't the mother my kids deserved."
Read More of Julie's Story -
About two years ago, Jim wasn't surprised to learn that his adventure-filled life had contributed to the development of severe knee osteoarthritis. The man who climbed mountains found he "had to use one leg at a time to go up the stairs. And it hurt!"
That's when Jim knew he had to do something. After all, "who wants to drag a leg up the stairs?" Jim spoke with an orthopaedic surgeon about his options.
More of Jim Whittaker's Story
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In 1995, she fell on snow-covered ice, breaking her ankle in three separate places. Nancy underwent surgery to repair the ankle - only to have it broken again in a stroke of bad luck when her cast was removed two weeks later. Two years later, Nancy again underwent surgery, this time to repair the damage from the first surgery. 'These repairs were successful, and gave me pain relief for several years," Nancy says.
Unfortunately, the pain relief didn't last, and Nancy soon found her mobility severely limited. "I was able to walk, but every step hurt," Nancy says. "It got to the point where my husband wouldn't even ask me to join him on any shopping trips or outings because he knew I wouldn't be able to walk due to the pain."More of Nancy's Story
Nathaniel is an active, 55-year-old, retired police chief from Hillsboro, NC. A few years ago, however, his ability to enjoy life changed. He began to experience severe pain in his right shoulder - pain that kept him up at night. The pain and immobility was so severe he also had to give up many of the activities he loved... playing tennis and basketball, lifting weights, going bowling with his son.
"The pain was getting so bad, I couldn't even use my shoulder," he said. "The pain was 90% of the time... sitting still, moving, or attempting to reach something in the back seat of my vehicle. I mean, I didn't have to be doing anything for it to hurt." It felt like bone grinding on bone, he added.
Find out the solution for Nathaniel
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hip Replacement Q & A
Am I ready for hip replacement?
Only your orthopaedic surgeon can decide if hip replacement is the appropriate treatment for you. And only you can decide if you are ready for it. Being ready starts with being educated, so learn more about hip replacement surgery.
How long will recovery and rehab take?
After surgery, a few days in the hospital are normal. Recovery means different things to different people and there are stages of recovery that patients go through. Typically, full recovery takes 3 to 6 months. Read more about recovery and rehabilitation here.
Knee Replacement Q & A
What can I expect during recovery and rehabilitation from knee replacement?
Each patient recovers differently. After surgery, you will work with a physical therapist to gradually increase your knee strength and mobility. You may experience some pain during physical therapy. The good news is that medications can help you manage this pain, and it should be temporary. The hard work you do in the early weeks of rehab will pay off with improved strength and motion, which will help reduce stiffness in your knee.
Am I going to have much pain after surgery?
Many patients find that the pain after surgery is tolerable, treatable, and subsides gradually over a few months. Surgeons and hospital staff have a variety of options to manage pain and keep patients comfortable after surgery, such as numbing injections, IV pain medication, patient-controlled anesthesia, injections, pain pills and anti-inflammatory medications.
Shoulder Problems Q & A
How are shoulder problems diagnosed?
As with any medical issue, a shoulder problem is generally diagnosed using a three-part process:
Medical History
Physical Examination
Tests - which may include a standard x-ray, an Arthrogra, Ultrasound and MRI
What causes shoulder problems?
Many shoulder problems are caused by the breakdown of soft tissues in the shoulder region. Using the shoulder too much can cause the soft tissue to break down faster as people get older. Doing manual labor and playing sports may cause shoulder problems. Shoulder pain may be felt in one small spot, in a larger area, or down the arm. Pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder can be caused by diseases such as:
Gallbladder disease
Liver disease
Heart disease
Disease of the spine in the neck.
Get Shoulder Problems Fast Facts
Ankle Problems Q & A
How important is the type of implant?
The implant used for joint replacement is critical to the long-term success of the procedure. There are many different types of joint implants available around the world today. Some have been around for many years, while most have been developed more recently. While almost all of the currently available implants can provide excellent short-term results if implanted correctly, the bigger concern is how long they will last. Implants that have been around awhile have a track record that can be measured so that any problems that might occur have been documented, as well as the probabilities over time. Your surgeon should be able to discuss these issues with you and provide you with an explanation of which implants he uses and why.
What happens once I decide to have surgery?
Following scheduling of the ankle replacement, the general medical tests are then carried out to clear the individual for surgery. This frequently includes lab work, chest x-ray, EKG, and so forth, and additional tests on the extremity to evaluate circulation and nerve function. Quite frequently, CAT scans, tomograms, or an MRI will be necessary to assess the quality of the bone around the ankle joint, as well as the status of the joint under the ankle and in the midfoot.
Finger Problems Q & A
What is the process of being diagnosed with arthritic finger joints?
To begin, your physician will ask you some background questions regarding your hand history and any injuries you may have incurred. A physical examination will be performed and x-rays will be taken to identify the severity of your situation. In addition, in certain cases your surgeon will order blood tests. At this point, your surgeon will use his/her expertise to diagnose your condition.
Can I only get one joint replaced at a time, or can my surgeon replace multiple joints at once?
Your surgeon can replace all diseased joints in one hand during one surgery. When that hand has recovered, the other hand will have the necessary joints replaced. Most of the time, the surgeon will not do both hands at once.