Joey M.D.

I had the dubious opportunity to relearn some things about Orthopedics early this year.

Shortly after New Year’s Day, my mom was sideswiped by a motorcycle.  When she tried to walk, she felt pain on her right leg.  She was then brought to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.  X-rays showed that she had a fracture of the femoral neck, hence she was advised a partial hip replacement surgery.

Coincidentally, a her cousin was advised hip replacement total a few months later.  Her case was not related to any accident, however.  Instead, it seemed to be osteoarthritis.

They are both ok now, both walking without the need for aids like canes or walkers.  However, it can’t be denied that it’s not the same as before, especially my mom, who had no problem for the most part prior to her accident.  Now she doesn’t walk as nicely as before, although she’s still as feisty and independent as before.  And, she does have some pain once in a while.  Her cousin, on the other hand, doesn’t experience as much pain.  The physical therapist explained that it’s normal for my mom to feel some occasional pain since what she had was replacement of the femoral head and neck part of the hip, while the rest of the hip was still living bone and still has nerves that would conduct pain.  My aunt’s surgery however, involved the replacement of the whole hip, which means that she did not anymore have any nerve endings in that area which would case nerve pain.

I do believe that they both had good doctors, who are updated with the newest techniques, like hip resurfacing.  I came across hip replacement surgery phoenix in Sonoran Hip Center and I am quite impressed with their line up of services like the anterior approach of total hip replacements.  This technique sounds better — shorter hospital stay, less pain, quicker recovery and less restrictions after surgery — but of course, it also depends on the patient’s problem.

They do offer fellowship trainings for interested orthopedic surgeons who want to update their skills.