I am a 60-year-old female that has suffered with severe arthritis pain for many years, especially in the right hip. I had been on anti-inflammatorys, medications to help me sleep, and medications to help me face another day of pain. They were all becoming ineffective due to the intense pain radiating from my hip. I could not stand up, sit down, lay down, drive or ride in a car for any length of time. I considered three to four hours of straight, exhaustive sleep a major miracle. Walking was torture. I would walk several yards, and then I would start dragging my right leg, because it felt as though it was being torn apart at the hip. Naturally this was affecting the rest of my arthritis as well as I was exhausted and tensed constantly.

I had been going to different doctors in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, but all of them just kept adjusting and adding to my medications. When we moved to Florida, my primary care physician suggested that it was time to think of a hip replacement. I am the world’s biggest coward when surgery is suggested, but I was at the point where I was ready. I did see several specialists in this field, but was not comfortable at first. I had heard so many horror stories on this specific procedure, that I was prepared to wait until I was a lot older and a lot worse rather than lose even more mobility. Finally, I was convinced to have the procedure done.

The surgery went smoothly, and I was up the next day, shuffling around the hospital with a walker. It was a pleasure to be able to do the exercises required as the range of motion seemed like a miracle to me. I guess everyone goes at their own pace afterwards, but, even with the arthritis, I graduated from my walker to a cane and was driving my car within three weeks.

I still have arthritis through the rest of my body, but the quality of life since having the hip replacement has improved tremendously. I can now lie on my back, or any other positions that I want to. I can ride, drive and do so much more. Everyone I know has commented on how my face seems smoother (no more pain lines), and how much happier I seem. It has been such a relief to be able to do things that I never thought I would ever be able to do again.

With all of my experiences, I would DEFINITELY recommend this procedure for anyone who is suffering from debilitating pains.

D. Lindsey