Ruth
CONSERVE® PLUS Total Hip Resurfacing Recipient
Ruth, 58, has been a dancer her entire life, and knew that sore muscles and stiffness after taking class or rehearsing were a normal part of a dancer’s life. However, two and a half years ago, she began to experience increasingly sharp pain in her hips that did not go away with rest and an alarming decline in her flexibility. Taking class became increasing difficult and then impossible. As the pain worsened, she had to stop not only dancing and teaching, but most of her daily activities. Simple things like walking to her mailbox became impossible without the use of a cane.

Ruth tried many things to reduce the pain but found that physical therapy, yoga, cross-training, acupuncture and massages only brought temporary relief. She found a website for devoted dancers suffering with hip pain and saw that many others had success with surgeries like hip replacement and hip resurfacing during her research. Ruth came across Dr. Harlan Amstutz, the founding director of the Joint Replacement Institute of Los Angeles.

Since Ruth knew her pain warranted some sort of surgery, it was very important to her that her surgeon not only have extensive experience with both hip replacements and hip resurfacing, but also be aware of the unique physical demands of a dancer. Dr. Amstutz caught her eye as he was involved with Wright’s clinical trial for the CONSERVE® Plus Hip Resurfacing implant and has done over 1,000 joint replacement surgeries. Dr. Amstutz examined Ruth and explained to her that the best option would be to participate in the CONSERVE® Plus Hip Resurfacing clinical trial and resurface both hips. In the procedure, very little bone is removed to insert the artificial chrome femoral head in the femur, ensuring that Ruth could retain as much healthy bone as possible.

On April 6, 2006, Dr. Amstutz performed the surgery and Ruth was able to leave the hospital only three days later. At home, Ruth used a walker for a week and a half and a cane for two weeks. About three weeks after the surgery, she was able to start driving again and only one month after the surgery was she able to dance and teach again. “Since I danced my whole life and kept in shape, I believe that was what helped me recover so quickly,” Ruth explains.

Ruth has resumed all of her pre-surgery activities—she takes ballet class 5-6 days a week, and is teaching 15 classes a week. She feels stronger than ever and says she never stops something because her hips are in pain, but only because she has sore muscles. “I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do. My strength and range of motion have returned and it is again a joy to either take class or teach others. I am very fortunate to have been able to have this amazing surgery! Dr. Amstutz literally gave me my life back again.”

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.