“I’ve been in a few wars and taken a lot of bullets. I have some holes in my body…I’m afraid of this hip replacement,” Chris, an APC hip replacement patient, told us. “I’m really timid about this because I’m afraid of anesthesia!”
As the owner of JP Mortgage Services, Chris has another passion besides his professional job: drag racing at Little River Dragway. But during one race, he was driving a 52-year-old car and forgot to replace the steering column, and when the lights changed, his steering column suddenly broke. He lost control and crashed into a pole at 141 miles per hour.
Partner with Pain Relief Institute of America
Before seeking help, Chris had been managing chronic pain for two and a half years with crutches and crutches, trying to ease the pain with medication but privately knowing that painkillers were not the ultimate solution to his problems. His fear of anesthesia was a significant factor in delaying his decision to seek help, but “I saw your ad and I said you know what? I have nothing to lose” he said.
The first person he met with the Pain Relief Institute of America Team after the accident was Dr. Wisler. Chris had expected to receive a steroid injection, but to his surprise, after receiving an X-ray, Dr. Wisler insisted that he see a surgeon at Pain Relief Institute of America for a direct anterior hip replacement.
He admits he got cold feet and had to overcome his fear of anesthesia, but Jody Green at Pebble Rock supported him and made sure the surgery was safe, and he trusted her.
“With great trepidation, I went in for surgery on February 28th…I was up and walking the next day…(and) two or three weeks ago (about 3 months after surgery), I ran away 5K. I’m running six and a half miles now.
Types of Hip Replacement Surgery in Pain Relief Institute of America
Although Chris underwent a direct anterior hip replacement, our surgeons are able to perform other hip replacements depending on the injury. Here are some of the most common ones:
Related: So you broke your hip: now what?
direct anterior hip replacement
Chris’ surgery was a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, direct anterior hip replacement, ideal for shortening recovery time. In this surgery, a small incision is made near the front of the hip, damaged bone and cartilage is removed, and an artificial hip is inserted without causing damage to the muscles and tendons in the area.
Because this method does not involve cutting tendons and muscles, the method is considered “muscle sparing.”
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery
Sometimes surgeons who are replacing a hip joint with an implant or prosthesis choose minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, which is often used to treat conditions such as osteonecrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone tumors, osteoarthritis and fractures.
Compared to total hip replacement, this surgery does not require more than 1 or 2 small incisions and usually does not require cutting of tendons and soft tissue to reach damaged areas of the hip joint.
total hip replacement surgery
Total hip replacement, perhaps the most traditional hip replacement surgery, involves making a relatively large incision on the side of the hip joint, replacing the damaged cartilage with a metal rod, ball and socket, and screws to hold the socket in place.
Common Physical Therapy Options for Pain Relief Institute of America
After his hip replacement, Chris was instructed to undergo a physical therapy regimen to retrain his hips to move properly.
“By following physical therapy, doing stretches and doing everything they told me to do, I feel great! They did a miraculous job.
Here are some common physical therapy options we offer patients at the Center for Pain Relief Institute of America (these may or may not be prescribed to patients undergoing hip replacements, so please consult your primary care provider before performing any of these stretches. Healthcare Provider!
- Kneeling stretch: Starting from your knees, sit back on your heels, arms at your sides, and bend your head down toward your chin while bending your torso forward. Reach forward, place your hands on the floor, and hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Pull your torso back to the starting position and repeat 3-5 times.
- Hamstring stretch: Sit in a chair with your right leg straight in front of you, toward your ankle. Keep your knees, neck, and back straight. Feel the stretch in the back of your thighs and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat this action 3-5 times.
- Piriformis stretch in lateral knee position: Lie on your back, bend your right knee so your right foot is flat on the floor. Cross your left leg over your right leg so that your left ankle rests on your right knee. Grasp your left knee with both hands and gently pull it toward your opposite shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, then return the legs to center and lower. Repeat on the other side.
Related: Chronic pain? Inversion therapy can help
Chris’s secrets to overcoming fear of surgery
“There are a lot of people my age who are probably as strong as me or even stronger than me who are very, very worried about hip replacements,” Chris explains.
Chris then humorously reminds us that at 68 years old, he can say all kinds of things:
“What I would tell anyone is if you’re worried about (having surgery), you need to wake up, You need to plant stones to do this and you have to follow what the physical therapy staff tells you! At 68 years old, I will tell you that next year, I will run a 10K, I will run a marathon, I will soon play golf and walk 18 holes, and I will dance the night away! I’ve recommended others to contact (APC), including my wife Roxanne, so if you have someone to go to, oh my gosh, I didn’t know… You ask him to call me.
Chris’s sheer enthusiasm tells us a powerful story about not only the physical success he experienced with a hip replacement, but the emotional release he found after overcoming his fear of surgery. This was after one of our team members, Jody Green, calmly and carefully guided him through the process with his surgeon; leaving him with a “lovely scar and a job well done,” This way he can walk and run without any pain!
Whether you haven’t come to terms with the reality of an existing injury, have had hundreds of surgeries but don’t have time to make an appointment, or simply want to stay healthy enough to continue drag racing or playing golf, APC can help you find the pain management program you need . As Chris says, “It’s all between your ears.”
Find an office near you and schedule your appointment today for permanent relief from chronic pain!
