Scott’s Story
Scott’s Story
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I am a 60-year-old municipal employee, and my job requires a lot of walking, lifting, climbing, and other physical labor. About 1½ years ago, I developed a nagging pain in my right hip which radiated into my back. After various interventions, an X-ray revealed severe degeneration in my hip, and a total hip replacement was recommended as the next appropriate step.
Contemplating a hip replacement was like looking down a dark alley! I dreaded going through it and had so many questions and concerns. I knew I needed guidance and decided to contact ConnectCare3, a nurse navigation service and benefit provided by my employer. I was assigned to a knowledgeable nurse navigator who reviewed physician credentials with this expertise and helped me understand physician qualifications, such as fellowship training, and other important factors to consider. The surgeon I chose has extensive training and performs 400+ hip replacements each year.
My ConnectCare3 nurse navigator prepared questions for my first consultation with the surgeon. She also explained and provided valuable information on two potential surgical approaches for a hip replacement so that I could discuss them confidently with my surgeon. The steps for an anterior hip replacement differ from the more common posterior approach in terms of incision location, muscles affected, and ease of technique.
My appointment with the surgeon went well. She stated my hip had deteriorated to the point that surgery to replace the hip joint was my only option and confirmed she would be using the anterior approach. An appointment was scheduled for surgery, and I was eager to get it over with as I was in so much pain. My ConnectCare3 nurse navigator and I discussed post-op considerations so that I could be fully prepared when returning home.
On the day of surgery I recall receiving anesthesia at 7:30 in the morning, waking up three hours later with a new hip, and being released from the hospital mid-afternoon that same day. I tell you this because I felt minimal discomfort, and the severe pain I felt before surgery was gone! I attribute this to the skilled hands of my surgeon and receiving the anterior approach which spared the muscle from being cut. Heavy-duty painkillers for multiple days post-surgery were not necessary as I had anticipated.
I’m happy to report that I am walking without pain and don’t feel like anything artificial is inside me. I do the post-surgical exercises faithfully as I am anxious to return to work on light duty as soon as possible. My new hip has improved my quality of life tremendously.
If you have a medical diagnosis and need guidance, contact ConnectCare3 and work with one of their nurses as this was a real game-changer for me. I no longer felt like I was walking alone down a dark alley. I was able to ask questions and share concerns with my nurse navigator, and she equipped me with all the information I needed to make well-informed decisions and to move forward with surgery without apprehension.
