Medical Reports: Help for Hips

WSVN -- We all wish we could shake our hips like Shakira. But in reality, even when we are young, our "hips don't lie." Active lifestyles can often cause hip pain.

Sonny Falcone: "I couldn't do normal things. I couldn't bend, walk without a limp, and I was in constant pain."

Hip trouble also made it hard for South Florida doctor Casey Boyer to move around his office. Even walking a few steps was sometimes painful.

Dr. Casey Boyer: "I'm used to jogging and races and things like that. To get to that point where you can't take a fast walk for a 100 yards is pretty discouraging."

Usually the only option is a total hip replacement -- something many younger patients don't want to go through.

Dr. Casey Boyer: "I was pretty discouraged, because I really didn't want to go through a total hip replacement with the cutting of the femur bone until I was older."

Doctors are now offering those patients a new alternative called hip resurfacing. Instead of removing and replacing the entire ball of the hip, surgeons just shave off a portion and cap it with a metal implant. It spares the thighbone and creates a more natural joint.

Dr. Harvey Montijo: "They have more mobility, number one, and, number two, there's less chance of a dislocation, with the hip popping out of the joint."

Those with low bone density shouldn't have this surgery because they're at risk for fractures. But patients younger than 60 are usually good candidates.

Dr. Harvey Montijo: "It adds 20 more years. We can do surgery now earlier to these younger patients and hopefully be able to bridge 20 years of discomfort."

It is major surgery, so you're in the hospital for three to four days. But recovery rates are shocking doctors.

Dr. Harvey Montijo: "The recovery of the patient has been a lot quicker than I expected."

Casey was back at work within two weeks. Now, he's got his heart set on being active again.

Dr. Casey Moyer: "I'd like to go back to cycling again, long walks, maybe some light jogging. Those things are exciting."

And Sonny is already back in the gym with his players.

Sonny Falcone: "I'm just so happy I had it done. If I knew it was that easy, I probably would have done it sooner. It was unbelievable."

Dr. Harvey Montijo
458 State Road 7n
Royal Palm Beach, FL
561-798-6600

Wellington Regional Medical Ctr.
10101 Forest Hill Blvd.
Wellington, FL 33414