Becky, Hip Replacement Patient

“If I had not had hip replacement surgery, I wouldn’t be able to walk. Now, a year later, I’m able to play tennis again, go swimming, walk on the beach, play in the floor with my granddaughter.”

Becky’s hip replacement story

I just tried to persevere through the pain, as women do. I couldn’t get down in the floor with my granddaughter and play. I could get down, but I couldn’t get up. My daily activities were very much hindered.

With my job, I was out and about in the community doing meetings and had to haul and lug equipment around.

It got to where I was limping more and more, and couldn’t set up for meetings without becoming exhausted and having severe pain in my hip.

Finally, my co-workers told me, “Becky, you need to go to the doctor.”

That’s when I made an appointment with an orthopedist. Afterward, I saw another doctor for a second opinion.

Both doctors agreed that I was ready to have hip replacement surgery immediately.

Fortunately, I had been taking physical therapy and trying to stay active, thinking the pain was due to a different problem. By doing that I was in better shape than most people and did not have to do pre-surgery therapy that some people need to do.

So, I was scheduled for surgery the week after my initial doctor’s visit.

Everything happened so quickly I didn’t have much time to think about it. When I went in for the surgery at Johnson City Medical Center, everyone made me feel at ease.

My physician even came out in the waiting room to take me back there for surgery and to talk to me beforehand. The anesthesiology team was great; they explained everything step-by-step.

The next thing I knew I was waking up in my room; surgery was already over. The nurses got me up that evening to go to the bathroom and walk down the hall.

I couldn’t believe the recovery time – just 24 hours.

I did have the new frontal procedure done, so it was very easy.

The nurses on the joint replacement floor were great. They were super knowledgeable experts at this type of care and guided me with helpful hints every step of the way.

Even after I left, I felt very comfortable picking up the phone and calling if I had questions or wanted to get a message to my doctor.

My advice to other patients who might need a hip replacement is to try to get in shape before the surgery. The stronger you are before you go in, the better you’ll come out.

I can say that the recovery time was much less than I anticipated. I was back at work within eight weeks.

If I had not had hip replacement surgery, I wouldn’t be able to walk. Now, a year later, I’m able to play tennis again, go swimming, walk on the beach, play in the floor with my granddaughter.

I’m back to everything I used to do!

Is hip replacement for you?

If you think surgery might help you get moving again – like it did for Becky – learn more about total hip replacement here.