PATH® Technique Patient Testimonials - Adam

CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology Recipient through the PATH® Minimally-Invasive Surgical Technique
Adam, 21, was diagnosed with leukemia on Valentine’s Day 2002. At the time, he was 17, a boy scout who spent his spare time rock climbing, hiking and playing roller hockey. When he began to develop unexplained bruises, he visited his doctor, and blood work confirmed the diagnosis. Adam was devastated, but immediately began treatment.

Adam’s first year of treatment was very intense, and he spent much of the year in the hospital, or in bed. One of the main components of his treatment regimen was a heavy dose of the steroid Prednisone, which he took for a year at a strong dose and then two more at a lesser dose. The steroid caused wear on Adam’s bones, particularly in his hip joints. At first, his doctor thought the pain could be due to neuropathy, a common side effect of his treatments. Adam tried physical therapy to build the muscles atrophied by his year in bed, but the pain only worsened. The hip pain was most extreme when he tried to lift his legs or move from side to side. The doctors had determined that the steroid was the cause of the pain and the decreased mobility, but could not stop the medication for fear of compromising the leukemia treatment.

Adam saw a series of doctors to discuss ways to combat his ever-increasing hip pain. It was initially suggested the problem might be solved with minor surgery, but as the extent of the damage was discovered, it became clear that hip replacement was the best option for Adam.

Because both hips were affected, Adam hoped to have both replaced at the same time to reduce recovery time. When he met with Dr. Rich Rosa at Advanced Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Center in West Orange, NJ, he stated “I felt an immediate connection with him, and I was very comfortable that he could help me. I’d set my mind to having both surgeries at once because I’d much rather be out of commission for four months rather than six or eight.” On February 12, 2006, almost the four-year anniversary of Adam’s diagnosis, Dr. Rosa performed the surgeries.

Dr. Rosa implanted Adam with Wright’s CONSERVE® Total Hip System with BFH® Technology, a system designed to restore the natural anatomy and motion of the hip while reducing the risk of dislocation. The very next day, Adam stated that the nurses “had me out of bed and walking around, I couldn’t even believe it!” After the pain from surgery wore off, there was no aching and cramping in his legs anymore. Within days, Adam was moving well with a walker, and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. He had rehab twice a day and was walking with only a cane when he left the center two weeks later.

Today, Adam is in remission and will have the two-year anniversary of the completion of his treatment in June. Before his hip replacements, Adam “was in pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It would keep me up at night, and I couldn’t walk well and was always dragging. Now, I’m working for Starbucks part-time and going to school full-time, and I go to gym almost every day.” For fun, Adam has taken up playing paintball, and enjoys drag racing and visiting the track with his friends. After years of “not being able to do much- no running, no walking on rough terrain,” Adam’s movement is now restored.

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.