Patient Testimonial
Doris, CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology Recipient
Doris, 57 years of age and a driver and manager of a school bus company, has always been an active adult. Doris found her job physically demanding, but quite rewarding. However, in February 2004, her active lifestyle became a daily struggle. She began feeling sharp pains in her right knee, stiffness in her right hip and occasionally, a debilitating hip lock. The pain, which prevented Doris from completing a number of her work responsibilities, was particularly frustrating as it often kept her from the activities she enjoyed most, including walking long distances with her family, gardening in her backyard, and playing with her grandchildren.
For four years, Doris continued to drive the school bus daily while never letting on to the extent of her pain. Sometimes the discomfort became so intense that she could not sleep through the night. In January 2008, Doris' tolerance had reached its limit and she consulted with Dr. Paulo Bicalho of Tesson Heights Orthopedics in St. Louis. Dr. Bicalho explained to her that the knee pain she felt was caused by stiffness in her hip and that he was confident that the pain would be alleviated by a hip replacement.
Prior to her surgery, Dr. Bicalho explained that he would use the CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology, manufactured by Wright, for her hip replacement. Traditionally, the femoral head of hip implants are made smaller in size than a normal femoral head. However, the implant that Dr. Bicalho planned to use on Doris' hip was made with a large femoral head designed to mimic the femoral head size of a healthy adult. This feature could allow her to experience the normal feeling of her hip, while preventing stiffness and locking that led to her knee pain.
On June 1, 2008, Doris successfully underwent surgery and after three weeks of physical therapy, she began walking and driving her car. In mid-August Doris resumed her job as a school bus driver. Today, Doris is pain free and is enjoying a happier, more productive life; thrilled that she no longer must delegate tasks to co-workers. Being pain-free also means she is able to enjoy uninterrupted nights of sleep. Most importantly, she is once again able to play with her grandchildren.
Wright's CONSERVE® BFH® Hip is designed to mimic the natural anatomy and motion of the hip. It features a larger femoral ball and socket design that more closely matches the sizing of a natural femoral head, resulting in greater range of motion, which can reduce the incidence of dislocation. In addition, the implant's metal-on-metal bearing surface is designed to offer the benefits of added durability and reduced wear compared to alternative treatment options. Furthermore, the larger implant enables a greater range of motion without impingement of the hip, allowing most patients to enjoy a wide range of activities after their surgery. This can make a big difference to those trying to return to a more normal, active lifestyle.
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.
