Same-day hip replacement offers quick relief
When Jim Clyde’s right hip began to hurt in 2016, he grew concerned. The longtime railroader, now 59, has a physical job that requires a lot of movement — walking on uneven ground, climbing on things and ducking in and out of cars that are always in motion.
He went to an orthopaedic specialist, who recommended physical therapy. After trying it out, Jim felt his hip wasn’t improving. In fact, it was getting worse. So he stopped going and assumed the pain was something he’d just have to live with.
The following year, Jim found out he had colon cancer. After a successful robotic surgery performed by John Marks, MD, director of the Colorectal Center at Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, Jim wondered if he might finally be able to get relief for his hip pain. His oncologist, Erik Zeger, MD, suggested he make an appointment with Eric Smith, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Main Line Health.
Finding answers
Looking at the X-rays, Dr. Smith knew Jim would need a hip replacement surgery.
"He had really severe arthritis in his hip," Dr. Smith says. "If you lose all the cartilage cushion in your hip joint and the bones are rubbing together — which is common in hip arthritis — it gets incredibly stiff. There’s no space for the hip to move, so people feel that it’s frozen. When the hip is not moving, that puts an enormous strain on the lower back."
After the surgery, Jim was blown away by the results.
"It was one of those situations where you can’t believe you waited that long," Jim says. "I’d been walking with a limp. I had to relearn how to walk normally because I was so used to favoring my left leg and dragging my right."
A quick turnaround
Five years later, Jim’s left hip was ready to be replaced. This time, he was eligible for a same-day hip replacement.
"Patients who are motivated, active and have a strong support system are good candidates for this type of surgery," says Dr. Smith.
For same-day hip surgery, patients arrive early in the morning. They're given spinal anesthesia that numbs them from just the waist down and is designed to wear off shortly after surgery. Once that happens, they can start testing out walking and eating.
"Most patients will spend about four hours in recovery, so we get plenty of time to make sure they’re feeling good and feeling safe," Dr. Smith says. They have not had any increase in readmission rates or complications with the same-day procedure.
Today, Jim is back to doing all the things he loves. In addition to working on the railroad, he plays street hockey with his kids, rides the roller coasters at Six Flags and keeps up with his grandchild.
"I did everything the doctor told me to do," he says,"and it turned out amazingly great. All the Main Line Health doctors and their entire staff exceeded my expectations with their professionalism, outstanding communication, attention to detail, genuine bedside manner and overall concern for their patients’ well-being."
Next steps:
Meet John Marks, MD
Meet Erik Zeger, MD
Meet Eric Smith, MD
Learn more about orthopaedic care at Main Line Health
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