Anthony’s Story
For the last 10 years, I slowly stopped or limited the things I enjoyed. Biking, motorcycling, karate, walks with my wife and children, working outside and working on cars. My attitude was sour. Being in constant pain made me short-fused and snippy. By Late 2016, I was using a cane, barely able to work. After I came home from work, I would lie on a heating pad. In January 2017, I had progressed to crutches because I could no longer tolerate weight on my hip. The pain had progressed to intense with any type of movement. I was depressed, had a poor outlook on life, stopped returning calls from friends inviting me to participate in activities and couldn’t attend my children’s sporting events.
I am a stubborn male and do not go to the doctor like I should. My wife demanded I go see my doctor, who referred me to Dr. Mark Hagy. Dr. Hagy told me my hip looked terrible, that it was the worst looking hip he’d seen in someone my age. I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis due to bone-on-bone contact, to the point of a deformed femur head. At that point, he recommended hip replacement, saying injections and physical therapy would not be of any benefit.
My life post-surgery has taken a dramatic turn for the better. The pain I was experiencing in the joint is gone. My physical therapist had me up and walking stairs the next day. I felt elated! I forgot what it felt like to be pain free in my joint. I wasn’t completely pain free, because there was some muscular pain following the surgery, but it wasn’t anything like I experienced before. It was controlled and would abate with rest. I went to outpatient physical therapy for six weeks, and I’m now a new man. No pain. I’m back to biking, karate, mowing the lawn, working in the garden and riding my motorcycles. My children have even noticed a difference in me and say "Dad, you’re not grumpy anymore."
My advice to others would be to see your doctor—that is what they are there for. I wish I hadn’t put it off. The pain took a toll, not only on me, but on everyone in my life. I’m glad I followed through with my physical therapist’s advice and did the exercises that were prescribed.
