This post is part of the Ultimate Guide to Total Hip Replacement
Leading an active lifestyle helps you stay happier and healthier. Working out 30 minutes a day, three times a week is said to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, increase energy levels, improve sleep and boost your self-image.
Toney Groves believes in maintaining an active lifestyle. He has always been an avid runner and has completed many marathons during his lifetime. However, debilitating hip pain started to get in the way of his exercise routine. As it gradually got worse with daily activities, it also prevented him from enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, playing outside with his grandchildren. Toney knew he needed a solution.
The diagnosis
After a recommendation from a friend, Toney decided to make an appointment with Dr. David Fisher, an OrthoIndy total joint replacement specialist. Dr. Fisher determined that the only way Toney would feel pain-free again would be to have a total hip replacement.
The hip is one of the body’s largest joints and is a ball-and-socket joint. The socket is formed by the acetabulum, which is part of the large pelvis bone. The ball is the femoral head, which is the upper end of the femur also called the thighbone.
The bone surfaces of the ball and socket are covered with articular cartilage, a smooth tissue that cushions the ends of the bones and enables them to move easily. A thin tissue called synovial membrane surrounds the hip joint. In a healthy hip, this membrane makes a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage and eliminates almost all friction during hip movement.
Total hip replacement surgery
In a total hip replacement the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components.
Toney had his right hip replaced in April 2014 at 68 years old. After that total hip replacement, Toney ran the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.
“I had zero pain from the right hip that was replaced,” said Toney. “But my left hip was crying and whining so I knew I needed to go back to Dr. Fisher to take care of it.”
Two years later Toney had his left hip replaced. A brief eight months later he completed the Chicago Marathon, running a total of 26.2 miles.
Recovery
“If a patient wasn’t an avid runner before having a hip or knee replacement, I don’t recommend they suddenly start running marathons after,” said Dr. Fisher. “But I have had soccer players, professional tennis players, snow skiers and runners return to those activities after a hip or knee replacement procedure. If they were competent in those activities before and really want to get back to them most times they can, like Toney did.”
“Except for the four inch scar on each hip I would not know I had two total hip replacements,” said Toney. “My experience with OrthoIndy was professional, yet friendly; just as if I had been an old friend for many years.”
Toney is grateful to be back to his active lifestyle, including playing with his grandchildren. In 2017, at 70 years old with two total hip replacements, he plans to enter a triathlon.
“I have recommended Dr. Fisher to several people who I have talked to who are experiencing pain in their hip. I truly can say I had no problems and hardly any pain,” said Toney. “Plus afterwards I was able to run again and finish a half and full marathon. I had difficulty walking, let alone running, before the hip replacements. Thank you OrthoIndy and especially Dr. Fisher for allowing me to play with my grandchildren and continue my passion of running.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fisher please call 317.802.2828 or learn more about total hip replacement surgery at OrthoIndy.
Schedule an appointment
Your well-being is important to us. Click the button below or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists. If your injury or condition is recent, you can walk right into one of our OrthoIndy Urgent Care locations for immediate care. For rehabilitation and physical therapy, no referral is needed to see one of our physical therapists.
