Life after hip replacement surgery

Life after hip replacement surgery

As an international dressage equestrian competitor, Adrienne Pot has been a professional athlete for many years. In fact, she is ranked 17th in the nation and has participated in numerous competitions around the globe. 

“Dressage riding is essentially gymnastics for the horse and rider in which the two move as one using complex movements,” Pot says. “It’s both a physically and mentally demanding sport that requires years of training and practice.”

However, two years ago, the now 58-year-old from Barrington Hills, Ill. was experiencing significant hip pain that began to interfere with her ability to compete. 

After other treatment options such as cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medications failed to relieve the pain, Pot finally decided to undergo anterior hip replacement surgery in July 2013. 

Hip surgery began in the 1960s and is one of the most successful operations in medicine, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. More than 285,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. 

Dr. Shawn Palmer, an orthopedic surgeon at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Ill., performed the procedure. 

“With the anterior approach, I don’t detach any muscles so the hip is immediately stable from the time of surgery,” Dr. Palmer says. “Adrienne was back to riding her horse at a high level just eight weeks after surgery, which is truly remarkable after a hip replacement. If she would have had the more invasive posterior approach, her recovery time would have been about six months. The anterior approach is my preference for when I perform a hip replacement because of the many benefits for patients.”  

health enews chatted with Pot about her experience and life after hip replacement surgery: 

Why did you make the decision to have hip replacement surgery?
I’m a professional athlete, so I’m used to feeling sore and working through the pain. However, my hip pain was extremely painful and caused me to have difficulty walking. I’m a very active person, but over the past year, all I wanted to do was sit down due to the pain.  

How has your life improved after hip replacement surgery?
With my new hip, I feel like I did five years ago. I’m currently training for a winter competition in Florida and continue to get stronger each day. I’m back to my active lifestyle of riding horses multiple times a day and taking part in other recreational activities.

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Comments

8 Comments

  1. I had the same surgery and 7 weeks after I was able to play golf, and I feel great.

  2. I had left hip replacement In February 2010, and right hip replacement in February 2011. The posterior approach was used on both surgeries. I am doing fine. I go to the gym every day, and do weights and swim each day (five days a week).

    • Thanks for sharing! How old were you when you did the hip replacement? What type did you use? I’m 38 and deathly afraid of this procedure. Did you try stem cell treatment ?

  3. Nowadays hip replacement surgery become so easy. It is also so beneficial. hip replacement

  4. Would someone know if hip replacement is an option if you have been diagnose with arthritis in the hip?

  5. Yvonne Mushimpuka March 18, 2015 at 5:38 am · Reply

    Am 38yrs and was told to do a hip replacement am afriad can i stil have a child after hip replacement?

  6. I just read these comments, and am due to have anterior total hip replacement in May 2015. I’m 73, in good physical health and active. While apprehensive somewhat, I have confidence in my chosen surgeon and look forward to getting back to normal walking and pain free hip. I’ll check back in here following surgery and rehab.

  7. Mike McGonigle June 11, 2015 at 9:29 am · Reply

    Well, I had my hip replaced 16 days ago, and feeling very good about it. I rode my bike around the neighborhood just 3 days after surgery, and have been walking and exercising with out any aid of walker or cane. The anterior approach seems to be the way to go for quicker recovery and less rehab required. Still a little sore, but no hip pain.

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health enews Staff
health enews Staff

health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.