As an active 69 year old grandmother with several years of gradually worsening osteoarthritic hip pain, I had tried every suggestion from PT to cortisone injections to deep muscle massage, with little relief. I was finally advised to look into a total hip replacement. I didn't know where to start with my research for best practices, but luckily for me, a family friend had recently used and highly recommended
Dr. Owen O'Neill for a minimally invasive, anterior approach hip replacement. What a find! From my first appointment, I knew I was in the right place. Between Ann, Jessie and the rest of the TCO staff, I felt in good hands. The Fairview Southdale joint class was most helpful; as were the pre-surgery recommended exercises. In spite of my husband and my fears, we forged ahead with surgery and happily, had a perfect outcome. My legs are the same length again!! Hurrah! I was up walking at Fairview within hours of surgery and discharged the next afternoon after a few in-house PT sessions to demonstrate I could manage stairs. At home that first day, I climbed our second-level stairs slowly but surely. I used a walker for 5 days; graduated to a cane for another 5 days, after a few more days, kept losing the cane in our house! By the end of week two, I was mostly off pain meds except for two Tylenol at night. I was sleeping better than I had in a couple years. No hip pain!! My three week post-op visit; I walked in unassisted without a limp; my 2 month visit...I was good to go; no restrictions! No pain...a little outer hip numbness and slight swelling with activity (ice alleviates) but no pain. Already traveling/flying again; walking without hip pain is a such a blessing! Thanks again to Dr. Owen O'Neill for his professional, kind, personable bedside manner. And to his staff, who were there whenever I needed them, thank you!! As everyone said in the beginning, "You'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner." Exactly!!! Thanks so much.
