Shane, CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology Recipient via the PATH® Technique

Shane, a retired industrial salesman and classic car enthusiast, has always been an active person. In fact, for the past 20 years, Shane could be found getting his hands dirty under the hood of his 1967 Austin Healy, 1996 Jaguar XJS or one of his 10 vintage British Classic Cars. However, in 2009, Shane began experiencing a significant pain in his lower back that radiated down his left leg. Once-enjoyable tasks such as working on or climbing into one of his low-slung cars to take a ride around town became more and more difficult, leading Shane to start a two year journey of diagnosing the cause of his pain and searching for relief.

Initially, it was suspected that Shane's spine or knee may be the cause of his growing discomfort. Shane's primary care physician ordered a series of x-rays and MRIs, which showed that his hip was causing the issue. Years of pressure caused by an uneven gait left Shane's hip joint almost devoid of any cartilage. At this point, he could feel an excruciating grinding in his hip with every step, a pain that over-the-counter medications could no longer mitigate. He knew that something needed to be done and started looking into options for a total hip replacement.

Shane visited his local VA hospital for a consultation and was disappointed to learn that, after the traditional hip replacement procedure, he could only expect up to an 85 percent return of his range of motion. Also, he was told that he would likely be left with an incision scar the length of his entire thigh. For a man that spent a great deal of time climbing in and out of cars only a few inches off the ground, this was not a satisfactory result. Shane then consulted Dr. Paul Miller of Midwest Physicians Group Orthopedic Specialists in Oklahoma City for another opinion.

Dr. Miller suggested the CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology utilizing the less-invasive PATH® technique, which would preserve soft tissue and help speed Shane's recovery. With the PATH® technique, Dr. Miller would be able to replace the hip through a small incision, unlike the larger amount of invasive cutting necessary with a traditional hip replacement procedure. Pleased with this option, Shane underwent the procedure in January 2011 and was immediately impressed with the results.

Within two hours of surgery, Shane was up and walking around and, after spending just three days in the hospital, was discharged to his home. With the help of physical therapy, he was able to walk around the block with minimal assistance within a week and a half after surgery. Today, with the constant pain and pressure in his hip joint now a thing of the past, Shane is easily able to get in and out of the driver's seat of the cars he enjoys so much. Additionally, his family and friends at the Central Oklahoma Jaguar Association noticed a big change following the surgery. "With the pain finally gone, they said that I am now back to my old self," he said.

Wright's CONSERVE® BFH® Hip is designed to mimic the natural anatomy and motion of the hip. It features a larger femoral ball and socket design that more closely matches the sizing of a natural femoral head, resulting in greater range of motion, which can reduce the incidence of dislocation. In addition, the implant's metal-on-metal bearing surface is designed to offer the benefits of added durability and reduced wear compared to alternative treatment options. Furthermore, the larger implant enables a greater range of motion without impingement of the hip, allowing most patients to enjoy a wide range of activities after their surgery. This can make a big difference to those trying to return to a more normal, active lifestyle.
Wright's PATH® Technique offers a smaller incision (2.5-3.5 inches as compared to 8-10 inches required for traditional hip replacement (technique)); however, the PATH® Technique is truly minimally-invasive because it is tissue-preserving; preserving all the short external rotators and muscles that allow the hip to function.
Because of this, the PATH® Technique offers patients the potential for decreased recovery time since there is, typically: reduced pain, reduced functional tissue damage, and reduced blood loss associated with this technique. This translates to patients who are able to walk, in many cases completely unassisted, within just days of surgery, as opposed to weeks to months of recovery time associated with traditional hip replacement techniques.
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.