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A Return to Life

Taking the Fear out of Surgery When Ruth Bernhardt-Kuehl had her first hip replacement surgery in August 2006, she wasn’t afraid. Through pre-surgery educational meetings, patients of Loyola University Health System’s joint program get answers and reassurance. “A few days before my surgery, I went to Loyola and had pre-operative testing in the morning, followed by lunch and an informational meeting with other joint replacement patients,” Ruth said. “We were given the opportunity to ask as many questions as we wanted. After the meeting, I felt prepared for my surgery as well as for my return home — both physically and emotionally. Knowing what to expect alleviated all my fears.”

Ruth Bernhardt-Kuehl

Causes of joint pain range from conditions such as arthritis and transient osteoporosis (spontaneous bone pain) to strains and fractures. Contrary to popular belief, joint pain is not simply a condition of the elderly, but a condition that can affect anyone at anytime. With treatment options for joint pain that include medication, exercise and minimally invasive procedures, sufferers no longer have to live in silence with their pain.  

Success Story
Almost 10 years ago, Ruth — a retired meeting planner — started experiencing sharp pains that occurred three or four times a year. Although the pain was intense, the LaGrange Park resident decided it was something she could live with and never sought the help of her physician.

“About five years ago, the pain got worse and occurred more frequently,” Ruth remembered. “The pain was so intense it was difficult to walk, stand and cook. When I had to give up the hope of a vacation to Barcelona, I reached my breaking point. I finally made an appointment to see a surgeon.”

Ruth went with the recommendation of her primary care physician, and sought the help of one of the orthopaedic surgeons at Loyola, who immediately put her at ease. Ruth was diagnosed with arthritis in both hips and was scheduled for a right hip replacement in August 2006.

Smaller Incision, Faster Recovery
In the past, hip replacements were done through traditional surgery that required a large incision — that cuts through the muscle — and possibly weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital. With advances in technology and surgical sophistication, patients at Loyola now have access to the latest techniques in hip replacement surgery, including four different types of minimally invasive procedures.

Unlike the majority of minimally invasive surgeries that are performed with the aid of a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera that allows the physician to view the patient’s anatomy on a television monitor), minimally invasive hip surgeries do not require an internal camera. Instead, the surgeon uses small incisions and small tools to insert and attach the artificial hip components without having to cut the muscle around the joint.

When performing Ruth’s minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, her surgeon made a tiny two-and-a-half-inch incision, and proceeded to replace the ball-and-socket joint in her hip with metal components.

Ruth’s surgeon confirmed that she was a great patient for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery because she was healthy, motivated to succeed and not overweight. Because of this, she was able to get up the same day as her surgery and begin physical therapy.

The Road to Recovery
One day after her surgery, Ruth was sent home to continue six to 12 weeks of additional physical therapy. A home-health nurse provided Ruth with follow-up care for 10 days and then she received physical therapy at the Loyola Oakbrook Terrace Medical Center.

“After listening to others who had undergone traditional surgery, I was expecting more difficulty moving and more pain,” Ruth said. “I was quite impressed with the way I felt after surgery, and I told everyone about what my surgeon had done for me.”

Ruth completed physical therapy on her right hip within six weeks, and two weeks later had her second minimally invasive hip replacement surgery on her left hip. Twenty-eight hours after this procedure, Ruth again returned home.

“After being in pain for so long, I had forgotten what it was like to feel ‘normal.’ In fact, when it was time for my second surgery, I was excited,” Ruth said. “The second one went just as smoothly as the first, and I am thrilled with the results and care I received from everyone at Loyola. They gave me my life back.”

If you suffer from joint pain, talk to your doctor about the various treatment options available and visit our Musculoskeletal Care Center. To make an appointment with a Loyola physician, call (888) LUHS-888.

Healing Hurt Hips

Whether you have a strained hip or you are coping with arthritis, feel secure knowing you can turn to the board-certified orthopaedic surgeons at Loyola University Health System for help. Loyola treats the entire spectrum of hip disorders with experts in each area.

Not all hip injuries require hip replacement surgery. While surgery is available at Loyola, our physicians will do a thorough evaluation of your situation before a treatment plan is determined. You should know that many options such as physical therapy, medical management and minimally invasive procedures are available.

The following are a range of hip conditions Loyola treats, along with the physicians who treat them. (Loyola orthopaedists also treat hands, shoulders, knees, feet and ankles.)

Arthritis of the hip and hip replacement — William Hopkinson, MD and Michael Stover, MD

Hip arthroscopy — Douglas Evans, MD

Hip fractures in the elderly — William Hopkinson, MD and Michael Stover, MD

Pelvic and hip trauma —Michael Stover, MD

Tumors of the hip — Timothy Rapp, MD

Young adult hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joint) — Michael Stover, MD