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Patient Testimonial
Marie,
CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology Recipient
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Marie, a nurse, is the orthopedic team leader at a hospital in Colorado, where she coordinates from 500 to 550 total-joint surgeries a year.
But it was not routine when she ordered an artificial hip joint, other medical supplies, and lined up a surgeon, an anesthesiologist and support staff for a June 6, 2005, hip-replacement surgery. This time she was coordinating her own surgery.
“I called up Barb at Wright Medical and placed an order for a Big Femoral Head and a Metal-on-Metal prosthesis in my size, just like I would for any other patient,” Mariel, 64, said. “Barb and I laughed about it, because it was a little strange.”
It was her second hip replacement, having had her right hip replaced six years earlier with a Wright ceramic-on-ceramic joint. Arranging her own surgery made for unusual circumstances, but the problems that drove her into surgery in the first place are relatively common: osteoarthritis, and the subsequent joint deteriorization and pain.
In her mid- to late-50s, Marie’s pain progressed until she could feel bone on bone in her right hip, and every step she took was painful. If she sat down for a period of time it became extremely painful to get back up and walk. The motion of getting in and out of a car was one of the most difficult and painful, she said.
“I shouldn’t have waited as long as I did before having my first hip done,” Marie said. “That’s the lesson I learned for my second hip. There’s no reason to go longer than necessary with that kind of pain.”
It affected her sleep because the pain would awaken her every time she made a slight shift in position. As a result, she suffered symptoms of sleep depravation – feeling very low physical energy and a lack of mental concentration.
“In this kind of work you just can’t allow that to happen,” she said. “Aside from being on your feet all day, constantly in motion, you need the mental capacity to keep up with lots of information.”
As with her first hip surgery, Marie allowed herself an appropriate rest and recovery period then began working diligently in the physical therapy phase. Twelve hours after surgery a physical therapist visited her inpatient room with a walker, and they strolled gingerly up and down the hallway. She began doing simple leg exercises while in the bed. “It’s important to get moving a little as soon as possible,” she said, “because it reduces the risk of blood clots.”
Marie went home on the fourth day. She visited outpatient therapy for a short time, then started doing the stretches and exercises on her own at home. When the incision from her surgery was healed, she joined “Arthritis Aqua” classes at a community recreation center, doing low-impact exercises in a swimming pool.
“Over the course of five weeks I gradually went from using the walker, to crutches, to one crutch, to using a cane,” she said. “And after five weeks I could walk unassisted.” After 12 weeks she returned to work full-time.
“Every day I talk to patients about my own experience, and I tell them how much better they’re going to feel,” she said.
These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.
Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.
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