At the Joint Replacement Institute, we feel strongly that by learning more about the surgical process and by reading about other patients experiences, you will feel more secure and prepared for the procedures you may be considering.
Select from the list of JRI patients below to read or hear first hand accounts of how their relationship with the Joint Replacement Institute of Los Angeles has improved their quality of life...
Lance A. Rudolph, M.D.
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing patient
After an uncomplicated surgery at the Orthopaedic Hospital by Dr. Harlan Amstutz, I had my new hip and began my rehabilitation. This progressed rapidly from partial weight bearing with crutches to independent ambulation. I was back in the pool, deep water running, within a week and back on a stationary bike in 2 weeks. In 3 weeks, I was riding a bike on the road and no longer using a crutch. The constant pain was gone immediately although I had the usual post operative pain to deal with. This required several days of pain relievers but resolved quickly.
It took about a year to regain all the strength and range of motion in my hip and leg. In 2 years I was bike racing again. At this point, 5 years out, I ride 120 to 150 miles per week. I don’t run much but I hike once to twice per week for 45 to 50 minutes on the foothills. I still swim and lift weights 2 to 3 times per week each. The hip functions well. It is not a normal hip but it comes very close to it. I can stay on my bike for 4 to 5 hours without problems. If I over do it, a day’s rest and some ibuprofen take care of it. I have some intermittent discomfort around the hip which I assume is soft tissue discomfort and not coming from the joint. I sincerely appreciate being able to sleep on the side of the hip resurfacing, to lift my legs into the car without pain and a self-assist and just getting up in the morning free of hip discomfort and being able to walk without pain.
As you can tell, I am very happy with my surgery and look forward to many more years of normal function and relatively pain free exercise.
Sincerely,
Lance Rudolph, M.D.
October 21, 2004
Joe D'Amore
Hip replacement surgery patient
JRI patient, Joe D'Amore's impressions of his experience with hip replacement surgery are presented in the JRI Video Library:
Gene Nacey
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing patient
Within the first year, I was back to snowboarding (no jumps that first year of course). Since I used a stationary bike during my earlier rehab efforts (after couch, floor and swimming phases), I began to enjoy the ability to spin a bike wheel. For the first time in probably 15 years, I was able to ride a bike without my foot slipping off the pedal. After spending a few months gaining strength on an indoor bike, I began to ride short modest rides outside. That was the beginning of a new "favorite sport".
Since that first year of rehab, I have participated in more than 10 mountain bike races, and my team and I took first and 3rd places in two 24 hour races. I have also begun road riding for longer distances, with my longest so far being 85 miles, with over 9,000 feet of climbing (I live in PA). This past summer I did a 7 day back country mountain bike trip from Telluride, CO to Moab, UT. I ride about 4 days per week, splitting my time about 50/50 between the woods and the roads.
In the winter, I get about 25 days of snowboarding in; as much of it out west as possible. While I like to hit the jumps, I won’t do it with icy hard landings -- I’ve got to have a much more "forgiving" stomp zone to even attempt it. I have competed in a few snowboard races, doing well in my age class, and last year I did my first "boardercross" race. I’ve also been enabled to continue with my first sports love – tennis. This is easily my best sport, having played in college at a high level. I have either won, or been runner up in my local city singles tournament for the last 3 years in a row. It is the only "impact sport" I participate in, and so I only do it during the summer months.
Finally, my vacations with the family and all things "mobile" have been enriched with my new hip. Our family loves to travel, and when we do, we love to hike and see the "hidden treasures" wherever we go. Two years ago (3 years after the surgery) I hiked the Napali Coast on Kauai, HI. This is rated as one of the most strenuous foot hikes on the planet – with a tremendous amount of elevation changes, and many areas of unsure footing. While it is recommended to do the 11 mile hike from the parking area to the ultimate destination of Kalalau beach in two days, my 25 year old son and I (I’m 49) hiked it in one day. We slept on the beach, and hiked back the next day. It took 9 hrs hiking in (lots of photo stops), and 6 hrs to get back. It was the most magnificent foot journey I have ever taken.
I hope you have "gotten the picture". Life is good in so many ways. I have thanked God regularly for Dr. Amstutz and the work his team did for me. His talents and insights are surely divinely appointed. I am born again physically, and words can not express my gratitude.
Additional Patient Profiles:
Male; Date of Surgery: 5/20/99
49 year old machine shop owner from Michigan who had progressive osteoarthritis over 7 years on both hips. The patient is a power lifter who had previously bench-pressed 500 pounds. The patient underwent simultaneous procedures on both hips five years ago. He has been doing extremely well, has returned to power lifting and can squat over 500 pounds again. He also plays golf regularly, jogs and rides horseback.
Male; Date of Surgery: 6/1/99
Vice President of a technology company in Leechburg, PA near Pittsburgh. He was 43 with very severe degenerative arthritis when he had his surgery. He had quite a bit of difficulty even with walking. He is a vigorous athlete who regularly engages in snowboarding, sking, mountain biking, and tennis 5years after surgery.
Female; Date of Surgery: 4/27/00
30 year-old martial arts instructor in Wichita, KS with a specialty in Tae Kwon-Do. She developed osteoarthritis possibly secondary to an injury incurred in an automobile accident. She was disabled for 2 years until she underwent hip resurfacing. She has resumed a very high level of activity including resuming her profession as a martial arts instructor.
Male; Date of Surgery: 6/9/98
43-year-old ballet dancer and artistic director of the South Carolina Ballet Company from Columbia, SC who developed osteoarthritis in both hips. He underwent bilateral Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacing in 1998. He returned to performing ballet within 10 months after a vigorous rehabilitation program and continued performing for more than 3 years. He now confines his activities to instructing and directing his ballet company along with several hours of workouts daily.
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