SuperPath® hip experiences - Steve

45 year-old Steve of Memphis has led an active lifestyle for much of his life. Playing sports, such as tennis and golf, have kept Steve in shape and mobile. However, little did he know that a single pain in his left hip would force him to give up the sports he loved and lead to joint replacement surgery.

“It was 2009 and I was playing golf. All of a sudden, there was an acute pain in my hip that was so strong it brought me to my knees. It was the first time I ever felt any kind of discomfort,” Steve explained. Over the next year, Steve learned to cope with the constant discomfort in the hope that it would “work itself out.” However, it soon worsened, prompting a visit to the doctor.

After a series of X-rays and MRIs, Steve’s physician delivered the bad news: severe arthritis and with very little cartilage remaining, a hip replacement was inevitable. Not ready to undergo a major operation, Steve sought second, third and fourth opinions over the next two years, but the diagnosis and suggested treatment did not change. He still kept putting off the surgery because he feared how much time he would miss at work to recover from the surgery.

As it turns out, Steve is Vice President of Sales at MicroPort, so he was familiar with the SuperPath^® Total Hip Replacement technique, a method whereby the implant is built inside the body, so the hip is not dislocated or twisted into unnatural positions during surgery, which is a common element to many other hip procedures. Having heard from many physicians that – because this procedure is less invasive and cuts no muscles when compared to the traditional hip replacement, he can expect minimal pain and a short hospital recovery – it was SuperPath^® that finally convinced Steve that he was ready to take the next step.

Dr. William Kurtz of the Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance in Nashville, about a three hour drive from Memphis, is the closest surgeon who performs the SuperPath^® technique. In October 2012, Steve received his new hip and four hours after the surgery, was on his feet with the assistance of a walker. The next morning, he replaced the walker with a cane and was discharged later that day. Just three days after major surgery, Steve discarded the cane and pain medication and was walking unassisted, “My wife took video of me walking just days after surgery, we couldn’t believe it,” Steve recalled.

One week after surgery, Steve was back at work. “When I walked in, there was a group of about 10 people standing around me asking me what I was doing back so soon. I think it was just shocking for everyone to see.” With the blessing of his physical therapist, Steve was back at the gym, doing leg workouts to regain full strength in his hip and legs.

“Just one week after receiving my new hip, I was pain-free and my range of motion and quality of life was substantially improved as compared to the agony I was in prior to the operation,” Steve said.

As Steve continues his recovery, he is looking forward to getting back on the golf course, “I can’t wait to get back out there and crush a golf ball,” he said. “I’ve never felt better since the surgery and now know firsthand how effective the SuperPath^® procedure really is.”

“SuperPath^® gave me the courage to go ahead and get my hip replaced because I knew the rehab could be fast and easy!”

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.