As a traveling machinist and avid motorcyclist, Don Webster is always on the go. That is, until a few years ago when debilitating hip pain began to threaten his active lifestyle. It started with severe pain in his left hip, soon followed by pain in his right.
“I was having hip pain that would come and go. It finally got to the point where my hip was hurting constantly. I’d be walking along, and all of a sudden it would give out on me, and I would almost fall down,” said Don.
Eventually, a painful experience during a work trip to Ohio proved to be a turning point. After hours of driving, Don was unable to get out of his car without using his travel suitcase as a makeshift crutch. That was the moment Don realized he couldn’t keep living this way.
When it came time to seek a solution for his debilitating hip pain, Don’s decision to choose OrthoIndy was deeply personal. His mother had received exceptional care at OrthoIndy after breaking her hip, and he trusted their expertise. This time, he met orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Millikan, who confirmed a diagnosis of avascular necrosis—a condition that cut off blood flow to his ball joint, causing the bone to die.
The diagnosis was initially frightening, but Dr. Millikan’s honest, straightforward communication put Don at ease. After discussing his options with Dr. Millikan, Don’s goal became clear: he wanted to return to his physically demanding work and regain his quality of life. And the best option was pursuing a hip replacement.
“Dr. Millikan made me real comfortable right off the bat. He was very straightforward and a nice guy. He told me how hip replacement worked. It really made me feel better about it,” said Don.
In 2022, Don underwent bilateral hip replacements – one in March and the other in December. He diligently followed a six-to-eight-week rehabilitation plan at OrthoIndy’s Brownsburg location, working through the initial challenges of using a walker and staying home during the early recovery weeks.
His perseverance paid off, as Don now describes his transformation as “perfect.” He can stand on concrete for hours, climb in and out of machines easily, and lives without a hint of pain.
His life outside work has also flourished. As an avid motorcyclist, Don was thrilled to discover he could still enjoy his annual two-week summer trip with friends. His most recent adventure took him on a 4,800-mile journey along the East Coast to Nova Scotia without any issues.
Don’s experience at OrthoIndy was nothing short of exceptional. From the attentive care of the staff to the skilled hands of Dr. Millikan, he felt supported every step of the way. Now, Don encourages others dealing with joint pain to seek help.
“There’s no point in living with pain when you can fix the problem,” said Don. “If you have pain, reclaim your life and seek help while you are still able.”
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