Nancy, LINEAGE® Ceramic Hip Recipient
Nancy’s boss is fond of saying that she loved her new artificial hip so much that she went to work for a company that distributes it.

She laughs, explaining that it was actually more of a coincidence even though she does love the ceramic-on-ceramic hip, as well as her job with one of Wright’s distributorship in Pennsylvania.

“You might as well say it that way,” she said, “because if I wasn’t happy with the hip I probably wouldn’t be working here – and I love working here.”

Nancy’s hip problem started a few years ago as the result of arthritis and normal wear and tear. It affected her dominant hip – her right side – and the primary symptom was a nagging pain.

“I had taken a trip to Europe and did a lot of walking, and that’s when I really started to notice that it was hurting more and more,” Nancy, 69, said. “And I realized sort of suddenly that something must really be wrong.”

She started taking arthritis medication, but the pain continued to grow worse and began limiting what she could do.

“I used to enjoy playing golf, but I had to stop because it was hurting too much,” she said. “Eventually it hurt too much to even go to the driving range. It hurt even when I was lying down.”

She was referred to an orthopedic specialist who took an x-ray and discovered that the soft tissue between the bones of her hip joint was completely worn away leaving bone on bone. The best treatment would be hip replacement, he told her.

She was reluctant at first, partly because she knew the recovery period following hip-replacement surgery would put her out of commission for up to a year. But a friend who previously had the surgery urged her to go ahead with it, and Nancy finally reasoned that she would be out of commission anyway – maybe permanently – unless she did have the surgery.

“It was one of the best decisions of my life,” she said.

From surgery she was taken to an inpatient rehabilitation unit where she spent 12 days in physical therapy doing daily exercises on a treadmill, stationary bicycle, stair machine and doing other work-outs. She said the old pain was gone, although the hip felt very different and she felt some new pain due to the surgery, which was normal.

“I had a great experience in rehab, and now my life is pain free and I can do the things I really want to do,” Nancy said. “I tell anyone who needs to know that they should not be scared of this surgery, and the benefits are very well worth it.”

“I had already tried to retire twice, but I just wasn’t ready to quit,” she said. “And, now, with my new hip feeling so good I’m really happy to be working again.”

That she works indirectly for the company responsible for her hip implant – that’s a nice bonus, she said.

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.