David, 47, is a mechanical
Engineer and project manager whose career has centered on the design of scientific and medical instrumentation. David enjoys bicycling, canoeing, photography and reading and is married with two daughters.
I sustained a labral tear in my right hip in January of 1999. It was not correctly diagnosed, and over the next four years that damage on the outside of the hip lead to irreversible damage to the cartilage inside the joint — osteoarthritis. Within two years it curtailed my ability to walk more than a couple of blocks. As the damage increased, walking became more and more painful and the joint progressively lost range of motion. By early 2003 my biking was also becoming quite painful.
My orthopedic surgeon (Dr Rogerson-Madison, WI) informed me that the only way to overcome the arthritis pain and immobility would be to undergo joint replacement surgery. He then told me about the
Hip Resurfacing option and said I might want to consider it given my "young age" and active lifestyle. He explained how it differed from total hip replacement and suggested I check out the "Active Joints" web site. He also gave me the name of one of his patients who had travelled abroad to have the operation; an individual now very pleased with the results.
What I read, saw and heard from those sources convinced me to dig deeper. I was able to draw upon professional contacts to gather and study many pertinent articles from medical and biomaterial journals. I also spoke with researchers in Los Angeles who’ve been tracking the progress of
Hip Resurfacing patients, quantifying joint wear and the amount of metal ion absorption into the body. My study brought me to the firm conclusion that the many benefits of
Hip Resurfacing far out-weighed any risks of utilizing a new technology.
Through more web surfing I found that Dr Stachniw, an orthopedic surgeon in Galesburg, IL, was involved in the clinical trial of Cormet’s
Hip Resurfacing device. I contacted his office and asked for information both on his experience with the device and for names of patients I could speak with. It soon became clear that he would be a great help. He had extensive experience with the Cormet Hip Resurfacing System, he had a great track record with his patients, and he was within easy driving distance. I submitted my request for insurance coverage, but was denied through several rounds of appeals. Finally, after receiving the final insurance rejection letter, I contacted Dr Stachniw's office and told him I would like to proceed with the
Hip Resurfacing operation even though I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. He and his staff had been supportive throughout the insurance ordeal and were very sympathetic with my frustration. Somehow they managed to squeeze me into the surgical schedule just a week and a half later!
My wife, Mary, drove me down to Galesburg on Friday, June 20 to meet with Dr Stachniw and the hospital staff. Surgery the next morning went very well. My main discomfort afterwards was nausea from the anesthesia. By Sunday morning I was feeling much better, and the nursing staff had me going up and down the hall with a walker. (I had been told to expect surgical pain, but I never found that to be the case — at least nothing the anti-inflammatory medication didn't handle.) The next morning, Monday, I was feeling great and asked about going home. When Dr Stachniw came by he was pleased with my progress and, with a smile, gave orders to disconnect the tubes and discharge me from the hospital.
Recovery at home continued just as well. I used two crutches for about ten days, dropped down to one crutch for the next week, then switched to a cane for the following week. I felt comfortable driving at the two-week point—that's also when I went back to work. My physical therapist suggested several exercises to retrain and strengthen my hip muscles and ligaments. I got back on my bike about four weeks after the surgery. I was careful to take it easy at first, and noticed that I felt a little wobbly when I tried standing up on the pedals. Bicycling turned out to be a great compliment to the physical therapy. Each time I went out I stretched the distance a bit, adding in some hills as I felt my legs get stronger. At six weeks I could easily bike 25 miles.
Seven weeks post-surgery I took my two girls and their cousins to this huge water recreation park. All day we walked about and enjoyed the water slides and wave pools. By late afternoon I was a bit sunburned and my feet were sore, but my hip felt fine. At ten weeks I met my big “challenge” goal: I completed a biking "century", biking 100 miles in one day! I was tired, but at the same time felt great. It was undeniable confirmation to me that I had recovered—that I had won back my life!
What a blessing the surgery and recovery have been! I can't thank God enough for the opportunity to regain my mobility — especially the biking I so enjoy. I even laugh to myself sometimes as I walk down the hall, amazed that I can once again do such simple things without pain! My heartfelt thanks go out to Corin for their excellent device, to Dr Stachniw, his staff and the staff at Galesburg Cottage Hospital for their excellent skill and care, and to our parents for making it financially possible.
