Until recently, intensive pain limited his golf game and his work schedule. But with a hip replacement from Tufts Medical Center using an innovative technique, the 57-year-old is back to improving his handicap and working at full capacity on his business.
“There were things I just couldn’t do before and now I can move around like I used to, it’s been an incredible experience,” says Peter, who lives in Jamaica Plain.
Sidelined by pain
Before the February surgery, intensive pain severely limited Peter. Although he could get in a single round of golf, two days in a row for a tournament was too much. Even his job was difficult. He works in construction and develops large solar fields and by noon was confined to the office.
The pain in his leg and back started a few years ago. Peter chalked it up to wear and tear on his body from playing college hockey. As the pain grew worse, a friend recommended the Pain Management Center at Tufts Medical Center.
Search for a solution
The Pain Management Center takes a team approach to diagnose and treat patients with collaboration from specialists in orthopedics, neurosurgery, oncology and rheumatology.
Doctors there quickly began a thorough search for the cause of Peter’s pain along with a solution.
“I was impressed with how attentive everyone was,” he says. “They were very thorough and very thoughtful. They didn’t dismiss what I was saying. They paid attention and they kept looking for solutions.”
Initially, doctors tried cortisone shots. The therapy worked for a few days, but then the pain returned. It became clear that more extensive intervention was necessary.
Although the pain was in Peter’s back and leg, his doctor suspected the cause was actually arthritis in his hip. He was referred to a specialist at Tufts MC.
Innovative surgical technique to end pain
Extensive testing confirmed that the pain was due to arthritis and determined that a hip replacement was the best alternative.
An innovative technique called an anterior hip replacement, was used. With this technique, the hip is replaced from the front rather than from behind. This allows the surgeon to replace the hip without having to split a muscle.
Tufts Medical Center has a special operating table just for this surgery. But being able to provide this technique involves more than having the right equipment.
The recovery is faster and patients don’t have to spend time extra time learning techniques to avoid complications as they do with a hip replaced using the conventional technique, he explains.
Back in the action
Peter was in the hospital for just two days.
“Everyone was great,” he says. “They were so nice, they made me feel comfortable and at home.”
The total recovery took less time than Peter expected and now he is back to full speed.
“It has really meant a lot to me,” Peter says. “It was frustrating to be so confined before. This has made an incredible difference. The pain is gone and I am back to doing what I enjoy.”
