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ASHTABULA RESIDENT
Patricia McQuaide suffered
from hip pain for almost a decade. Her pain was a daily
challenge, especially since she was required to use a step at
work. She began seeing a chiropractor three times a week to
alleviate the pain, but nothing could stop the constant ache
or help her reduced mobility.
“I finally said ‘enough is enough’,” McQuaide said.
She talked with her physician, Ashtabula County Medical
Center (ACMC) Family Physician James Chillcott, MD, who
recommended she see Orthopaedic Surgeon Amar Mutnal,
MD. Dr. Mutnal described a new hip replacement option
at ACMC. Traditional hip replacement surgery requires
dissection through the muscle and tendons from the rear
or side of the hip. The direct anterior approach allows the
surgery to be performed between muscles from the front of
the hip, resulting in less muscle trauma. Patients report less
pain and quicker return to their normal activities.
Back on her feet
“I had surgery November 19th,” McQuaide said. “I went
home on the 20th, and I cookedThanksgiving dinner in my
kitchen for my whole family.”
Dr. Mutnal said he is not surprised. With direct anterior
hip replacement, recovery takes weeks instead of months.
Patients can begin physical therapy a few hours after
surgery and enjoy marked improvement in their pain. All
patients so far have safely gone home the day after surgery.
ACMC Orthopaedic Surgeon Amar Mutnal, MD,
shows patient Patricia McQuaide, of Ashtabula,
a hip ball and joint similar to the one he used to
replace her hip last year.
Innovative
“Patients are walking the same day as the surgery and
say there is little to no pain during their recovery,” he said.
“I have to remind patients that they just had major surgery
and they should not push themselves too much because
their bodies still need time to adapt to all the changes.”
Those changes include a return to the mobility they
experienced before the start of their hip problems.
“I had a patient who loved to play golf,” Dr. Mutnal
said. “He was back to chipping on the green two weeks
after surgery. If someone has a desk job, in most cases
they can go back to work within 2 to 3 weeks. If their job
is very demanding, it usually takes closer to 6 to 12 weeks,
depending on the patient and type of work.”
McQuaide said now that she is past all restrictions, she
is looking forward to returning to the bowling alley. Her hip
pain was too intense and kept her from enjoying the sport.
She has not bowled for several years.
“I was in a league, years ago, but I gave that up. I slowly
stopped doing the things I enjoyed,” she said. “Now I am
looking forward to trying these again.”
The secret to the success
Dr. Mutnal said the success of direct anterior hip surgery
is a combination of the technique—going between muscles
instead of through them—and the technology used that
gives him a detailed view of the hip while the procedure is
still going on. Before surgery, he uses a digital templating
system to view the patient’s damaged hip and choose
the appropriate implants via computer for sizing and
restoration of alignment and leg length. During surgery, live
x-ray, called fluoroscopy, is used to place implants real-time
to best reproduce the preoperative plan. He can immediately
see whether or not the hip components are properly secured
and aligned to his liking. There is very little guesswork.
Direct anterior approach hip surgery is relatively new to
Northeast Ohio. Dr. Mutnal received special training in the
procedure and is the only surgeon in Ashtabula County to
perform the surgery.
“I am fortunate that I worked with two physicians
who were leaders in this technique,” Dr. Mutnal said. “I
have been involved with hundreds of surgeries using this
technique. It takes that hands-on training to gain the
expertise.”
McQuaide said she appreciates that expertise and is glad
she met Dr. Mutnal.
“He’s a blessing,” she said. “I can’t thank him and
everyone at ACMC who helped me enough. I can now
enjoy spending time with my family, especially my
granddaughter. I feel like I got my life back.”
Not all patients are candidates for direct anterior
hip replacement. If hip pain is preventing you from
enjoying life, make an appointment with Dr. Mutnal to
discuss treatment and surgical options. To schedule an
appointment, call
440-997-6969
.
hip replacement
Local woman enjoys life again
ACMC Pulse •
www.acmchealth.org3