The hip joints contribute to a large portion of our mobility and are essential for daily activities such as walking, running, and sitting. However, when these joints become damaged or worn down due to age or injury, it can greatly impact our quality of life.
In this patient Q&A session, we spoke with Cyndi who has recently undergone total hip replacement surgery with Dr. Rohan Gopinath at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists. As someone who has always lived an active lifestyle, Cyndi’s symptoms hindered her ability to enjoy her favorite activities and ultimately feel like herself.
As a specialist in robotic hip and knee replacements, Dr. Gopinath has dedicated himself to helping patients like Cyndi regain mobility, find relief from pain, and get back to living the lives they love.
Keep reading to learn more about Cyndi’s journey with total hip replacement at BOS.
Hello Cyndi! Talk to us about your life before your surgery. What symptoms were you experiencing? How did hip pain affect your life?
I was very limited in what I was able to do. Being an active person who was constantly on the go just walking from the parking lot at work was exhausting. Going up and down the stairs at home was excruciating pain. I had to take one stair at a time and hold on to the handrail with two hands. When I reached the top I was out of breath.
I had lower back pain and a sharp burning pain that ran down the upper inner thigh to my knee. The hip pain affected every part of my life. I could barely stand up without having to hold on to something before taking a step. Making dinner I could only stand for a short period of time. Shopping was very limited, especially if I had to walk a distance. I wasn’t comfortable sitting, standing, walking or even sleeping. Exercising was out of the question, I couldn’t even walk a block without being in terrible pain.
What made you ultimately decide to undergo a total hip replacement?
Not being able to do the things I enjoy. I’ve always been an athletic person and not to be able to walk a block without being in extreme pain was inconceivable.
Why did you choose Barrington Orthopedic Specialists? What stood out to you about Dr. Gopinath?
I went through Barrington Orthopedic Specialists in 2018 for ACL surgery and had a very positive experience.
What stood out to me about Dr. Gopinath is his knowledge and empathy. He took his time to explain what the x-ray showed, [explained] my options, and asked what were my expectations. Dr. Gopinath explained what a total hip replacement would involve, the process, and the recovery timeline.
Tell us a bit about your procedure. What was involved in your total hip replacement?
I had 6 weeks of pre-physical therapy. The surgery was robotic hip replacement. There were two Zoom meetings. One meeting explained what you need to do prior to the surgery and the second meeting explained what happens post-surgery.
A nurse calls the night before surgery to give you the time the surgery is scheduled and the time you need to arrive at the hospital. They will also go over any instructions from the doctor and medications you need to take. Once registered at the hospital you sit in the waiting room until they call you to go to pre-op and then off to surgery. After surgery, you’re returned to recovery and then you either go home or are admitted to the hospital.
What has your recovery process been like? How are Dr. Gopinath and the BOS team assisting you?
My recovery was phenomenal. I had no pain, just stiffness. I was walking with a walker the first day after surgery. The first week home I walked with my walker, the second week with a crutch, and the third week no assistance. I made sure I walked every hour. Again, I was stiff, but no pain. I had 8 weeks of physical therapy which went very well.
Dr. Gopinath explained the recovery process prior to surgery. I was so well prepared for what to expect. During post follow-up doctor visits I would ask Dr. Gopinath prior to doing a stretch or exercise.
It's been 5 months since I had surgery and I'm back to feeling like I’m my old self. I can go for long walks, ride my stationary bike, exercise, stand for long periods of time, walk, and not feel exhausted. In fact, I’ve had some lower back pain since I was in my 20s and now my back feels fantastic.
Where are you in your rehabilitation process now? What has been the most rewarding part of recovery? The most difficult?
I’ve been done with physical therapy for 3 months. I’m back to being able to do all the things I did prior to my back and leg pain. In fact, I feel I can do more and have a lot more energy. Most rewarding is being able to move and do things without pain. The most difficult part was sleeping in the beginning because I sleep on my side.
How are you doing with your new hip? How has it changed your day-to-day life?
Fantastic!!!!!
Being able to do things and not be in pain has changed my day-to-day life 100%.
What would you say to another person considering a total hip replacement?
Make an appointment with Dr. Gopinath. You need to talk to a doctor that is going to listen and come up with a plan for you. All hip replacement recovery is different for each person. It’s important to find a doctor that you feel comfortable and confident with and this is why I recommend Dr. Gopinath to anyone that tells me they’re having hip or back issues.
Thank you for answering these questions for us!
To learn more about Dr. Gopinath, visit his page on our website! If you’d like to schedule a consultation, contact our office at (847) 285-4200 or schedule online here.
Don’t let hip pain keep you from the things you love. Visit Barrington Orthopedic Specialists and get started on the road to recovery!
