Orthopaedic Surgeon Myron Stachniw started performing
Hip Resurfacing on
his younger, more active patients a couple of years ago, as part of the FDA trial in the USA. He recalls that seeing how well his patients did
after hip resurfacing influenced his own choice of treatment.
“At the age of 55
I had severe arthritis in both hips, which was really
beginning to limit my activities. My functional capacity was steadily
declining because of my hip disease; I was giving up more and more of my
interests and relying on pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication.
When I saw how well my patients were doing after Hip Resurfacing, it
didn’t take too long to figure out that this was the treatment for me.”
“My
post-operative recovery was unremarkable really. I did use a walker for a
six-week period, but I was able to drive my car within two weeks.
I returned to my surgical practice three weeks after my resurfacing.
After six weeks I gave up my walker, was able to climb stairs and
steadily increased my activities. “
Two years later, with both his hips resurfaced, Dr Stachniw is back to
“normal” activities. He climbs in and out of the light plane he pilots,
rides horses and generally maintains a level of activity that he
believes would have been difficult with a traditional total hip
replacement.
“I have been able to resume a normal life. I am able to pursue my work
and my interests and I do not have to worry about my hips. I basically
do whatever I want.”
Dr Stachniw is now a Lecturer at International Hip Resurfacing Meetings,
and as a patient and a practitioner of Hip Resurfacing, can give a
unique perspective to other surgeons as well as to his own patients.
“This resurfacing really has made a significant difference to my life.
It has given me my life back and I really am able to do whatever I want.
Just like my patients, I am really grateful to Corin and my Surgeon for
restoring me to a happy, painless and productive life.”
