Andrea, CONSERVE^® Total Hip with BFH^® Technology Recipient

Andrea has always made a concerted effort to live a healthy lifestyle. She eats nutritious foods and enjoys exercising regularly. One of seven siblings, it is fair to say that Andrea has always been referred to as the "health fanatic" of the bunch. So, when Andrea learned in 2002 that at age 40 she had developed osteoarthritis in both of her hips, she took the news hard.

Her physician, Dr. Bruce Evans, told her that a hip replacement at such a young age could very well mean revision surgeries later in life because, in 2002, the lifespan of hip implants was only about 10-12 years. Because of this, Andrea decided to hold off on surgery and relied on anti-inflammatories to help control the pain in her hips. Eventually, however, Andrea had to give up running, a sport she was rather passionate about, and instead tried to stay in shape by swimming and cycling. A year after her diagnosis, an X-ray revealed that her right hip was deteriorating at a rapid pace and the pain in her hip was getting so severe that it could not be controlled with pain medication. Everyday activities, including walking up steps, were becoming dreaded tasks.

In March 2003, Dr. Evans suggested Andrea try a new hip replacement, Wright's CONSERVE^® Total Hip with BFH^® Technology. The hip system is designed to reduce the risk of dislocation and mimic the natural kinematics of the hip by replacing the body's natural femoral head with a large diameter implant - much larger than other hip systems available. The large diameter of the CONSERVE^® Total Hip allows for improved range of motion for the patient, up to 169° which is also significantly larger than standard total hip devices. And as an additional benefit, physicians believe this type of implant may last longer, due to the superior wear characteristics of metal-on-metal. This is good news for young, active patients like Andrea.

Andrea was implanted with the CONSERVE^® Total Hip on April 21, 2003 and experienced a quick recovery. Within 10 weeks of her surgery, she was able to participate in a soccer game at a family reunion. "Health fanatic" Andrea was back in the game and thrilled with her surgical results.

“I felt depressed when I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis a few years ago knowing that surgery would be in my future and unsure of how well I would come back afterward. But, now I am so glad I had the surgery because my new hip feels better than ever. I am back to exercising and feel great mentally. I would recommend this to anyone else who is experiencing severe hip pain.”

These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.
Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.