Joan Bunyan
Hip replacement recipient
“I actually feel blessed. After the operation, I got married one year later, and I walked down the aisle and danced at my wedding.”
“The pain felt excruciating. It felt like broken glass inside my hip and was constant when I was either walking or sitting down. The pain affected my life, right down to dressing myself, going to work, doing things that I enjoy. I couldn’t food shop, I couldn’t put my sneakers on, I couldn’t put my socks on, the pain was constant. The pain affected my relationships, the fact that I wasn’t able to go out and do the things that I enjoyed with my family and my friends.
The particular moment I decided to get my hip fixed was when I felt too young to be so… handicapped. After I had the operation, I still expected pain, but I was pleasantly surprised. With physical therapy, soon after surgery I was able to walk up a flight of stairs.
I owe so much to my surgeon, and if I didn’t marry my husband I probably would have married my surgeon… truly. I would tell someone contemplating having hip surgery… don’t waste any time. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks and whether hip replacement surgery is right for you because those are weeks, months or years that will go by wasted.
I actually feel blessed. After the operation, I got married one year later, and I walked down the aisle and danced at my wedding. I’m so glad there are people out there who have the capability to make such a great product.”
All surgery carries risk. See your orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your potential benefits and risks. Not all patients will have the same post-operative recovery and activity level. Individual results vary.
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Hip Replacements
Hip joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, fracture of the neck of the femur or functional deformity of the hip.
Joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the joint, or excessive body weight.
Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, change in the treated leg length (hip), joint stiffness, hip joint fusion, amputation, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.
Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, and reaction to particle debris. Hip implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.
Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mako, Mobile Bearing Hip, Stryker, Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.
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