| Patient Testimonial
Alec, LINEAGE® Ceramic-Ceramic Hip Recipient
Alec was diagnosed with advanced degenerative osteoarthritis
in his hip at 35 years of age. An avid biker, hiker and jogger, Alec
experienced a slow decline in his ability to participate in these
activities due to degenerative changes and loss of cartilage that
cushions the hip bone. With increasing pain and loss of range of
motion that continued over the years, basic everyday tasks like
putting on socks were an "exercise in creativity". He
began walking with a noticeable limp in his early 40s. When his
decreased range of motion finally prevented him from reaching the
handle bars on his bike, Alec made the decision to explore surgery as
an option.
 As
a physician's assistant, Alec was keenly aware of his medical options
and looked into arthroscopy surgery, used to visualize, diagnose and
treat problems inside a joint. A colleague of Alec's referred him to
Dr. Stephen Murphy at New England Baptist Hospital, one of two doctors
locally performing the surgery. Murphy performed an MRI arthrogram and
confirmed that there was advanced joint deterioration and that
arthroscopy surgery would be "like putting a band aid on an open
wound". Murphy suggested that Alec contact him again when the
pain got to be unbearable.
It was a year later when Alec called Murphy to say "it's
time". Murphy went over the options with Alec including a new
ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacement technology for which he was the
lead FDA investigator. Knowing that ceramics prolong the lifespan of
an implant and that Alec would likely have 35-40 years of active
lifestyle ahead of him,  Murphy
recommended total ceramic hip replacement surgery as the best
treatment option. The ceramic implant was an attractive option for
Alec who decided that "if ceramics were even close to half of
their life expectancy," it was what he wanted to do. As a young,
active patient who puts a lot of strain on his limbs, Alec was eager
to put the pain behind him and get back to his active lifestyle. The
durable and wear-resistant ceramic implant meant the possibility of
fewer revision surgeries and the ability to stay active.
In September 2000, Alec was admitted to New England Baptist
Hospital for a ceramic total hip replacement. Alec remained in the
hospital for five days and received post-operative physical and
occupational therapy. Within a few days at home, he was working out
three to four hours a day with a physical therapist on a stationary
bike, elliptical trainer and Stairmaster. Alec was on crutches for six
weeks and with the support of his family and neighbors, met his target
goal of participating in an ice climbing and cross-country ski trip in
Minnesota with his brother within just four months of his surgery. His
hip performed flawlessly and he never once felt as if his hip was
unstable or that it would dislocate.
 Back
on a bike within days after the surgery, Alec is now up to 100 miles a
week and able to reach the handlebars without wincingin pain. Add
swimming and hiking to the demands he puts on his post-surgery hip,
and Alec illustrates the strength and durability that ceramics allow
implant patients for maintaining their active lifestyles.
Almost 2 years to the day of his surgery, in September 2002, Alec
achieved the most impressive accomplishment of all - scaling Mt.
Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa. It took him only 7 days to
reach the summit and 2 days to come down. During the climb, Alec
described his hip as "rock-solid". He was in such good shape
that he was one of the top eleven climbers in terms of his physical
ability to climb and keep pace. During this momentous physical and
mental challenge, Alec never once felt that his hip was an issue.
 "Being
physically active, particularly in the outdoors, has always been a big
part of who I am. My prematurely arthritic hip took this away from me.
I wanted it back! When I had lost so much range of motion that I could
no longer even get on my bike, or walk without extreme pain, I decided
it was time to replace my hip."
"Many mountains climbed, and hundreds of miles on my bike
later, all pain free, I know for sure that I have my active life
back."
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.
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