Sallie

Fort Worth, Texas

Sallie felt it almost twenty years ago – an unexpected twinge in her right hip during her yoga class. She didn’t think much of it at the time, but over the next two decades, that single spasm morphed into a life-changing medical condition.

Sallie, now 77 years old and a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, spent much of the 1990s working, walking her dogs, flying her airplane and taking care of her family. The hip discomfort that began at yoga was sporadic at first, but slowly intensified and struck more frequently.

“There were a few times when my hip locked up and I was literally unable to move,” said Sallie. “Fortunately, it only lasted a few minutes, but when you’re unable to move, a few minutes is a long time.”

Caring for her elderly parents and spending time with her own children and a rapidly growing collection of grandchildren, she dealt with the pain and continued to live her life. She persevered for almost twenty years; however, by 2011, her hip began to deteriorate rapidly. She developed a slight limp, had trouble getting in and out of a car and was forced to give up walks with her dogs. Her discomfort and pain made her fearful she might trip and fall and break her hip.

“It hurt most when I went to bed,” recalled Sallie. “I spent hours lying awake and even the slightest movement was agonizing.”

In May 2012, she scheduled a visit with a longtime friend who was a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. An x-ray confirmed what the doctor suspected – she would need a new hip as soon as possible. However, she found the prospect of a hip replacement daunting.

“My Uncle’s wife had a traditional hip replacement a few months before my doctor’s appointment and wasn’t back to her normal self for three months,” said Sallie. “I just knew there had to be a better way.”

While researching her options, Sallie spoke with a friend whose son was about to have his own hip replaced. As it turned out, her friend’s son was an employee at MicroPort and underwent MicroPort’s SuperPath® Total Hip Replacement technique, a tissue-sparing procedure that avoids trauma to underlying muscles and tendons, designed to allow minimal postoperative pain and an early start on recovery.

When her friend’s son returned to work just one week after his procedure, Sallie knew that she had found the right treatment option and scheduled a consultation with Dr. Harbinder Chadha at LSC Orthopedics in Chula Vista, California. Dr. Chadha explained that with the SuperPath® Total Hip Replacement technique, the implant is built inside the body, so the hip is not dislocated or twisted into unnatural positions during surgery and nearby muscles are not severed, which are common elements to many other hip procedures.

On November 30, 2012 at 11 a.m., Sallie was wheeled into the operating room to receive her new hip. Just four hours later, she was walking in her hospital room and at noon the following day, only 25 hours after her surgery began, she went home.

“I couldn’t believe how strong I felt when I walked a few hours after the operation,” said Sallie. “I chose the SuperPath® technique because I believed it would get me back on my feet quickly, but it was still amazing to be upright and moving with no pain.”

She was able to move around freely at home and discarded the walker provided by the hospital after just a day or two. A few days later, she went grocery shopping and within a few weeks resumed normal activities without the typical bending restrictions associated with hip replacement.

“I was astounded that I didn’t require any physical therapy and was thrilled to begin walking with my dogs again. Not long after the surgery, I was at a mall with my daughter, who laughed and commented that I walked faster than she did,” said Sallie. “I was hoping for a quick recovery, but I couldn’t comprehend just how quick until I experienced it for myself. I am extremely happy I chose the SuperPath® procedure.”

The SuperPath® technique, from MicroPort, is a surgical method whereby the implant is built inside the body, so the hip is never twisted into unnatural positions during surgery — a common element to many other hip procedures. The SuperPath® technique enables surgeons to take into account each patient’s unique anatomy, select the most appropriate implant and selectively release a single tendon during surgery, only if necessary.

These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.