Andra's Story

From Gardening to Grandchildren, Hip Replacement Patient Enjoys Her New Mobility

A few years ago her story was different. Hobbled by an injury from more than 20 years ago, her hip simply wore out. In 2002, she sought out an orthopaedic surgeon, who suggested a total hip replacement.

Every patient is unique, and Andra’s case presented some challenges. Her hip was fractured in the earlier injury and had been repaired with medical pins. These had to be removed before the new hip replacement could be implanted. The new system to be implanted was a DePuy hip replacement system. DePuy’s advanced hip replacement systems allow the surgeon to mix-and-match the different components, selecting the best combination of materials and sizes.

Surgery went well. Andra was in the hospital for 4 days and then signed up for an intensive 8-day rehabilitation program. “It was very hard work,” Andra says with emphasis. “My doctor kept urging me to advance in my rehab–he’s a good motivator, and in the long run, I was very grateful for that.” Andra did the exercises and procedures her rehab team suggested. “I was a good patient,” she says.

After arriving home, she was able to walk first with crutches, then graduated to a cane, until she was soon able to walk on her own. About 3 months later, she was doing light exercises, including walking on a treadmill. “I didn’t dream I’d get that far that fast,” she says.

Eight months after surgery, Andra and her husband, Charles, took a vacation to the American Basin in the Rocky Mountains outside Lake City, Colorado. “My hip was just fine–it never bothered me.”

Andra makes clear that while she’s active, she’s not reckless with her new hip. “I’m very respectful of it,” she says. Andra enjoys working in her garden at her lake house, where she and her family enjoy boating and fishing. “We’re on the water a lot.”

Andra and Charles have 3 daughters, and 7 grandchildren—all boys. “We’re always on the run,” Andra says. Six of the boys play Little League baseball, so the family spends summers watching their grandsons.

What advice would Andra give others considering the procedure? “Seek out a really good doctor,” she says. “And be committed to the process. It takes work and commitment–a lot of it.” For Andra, the commitment came easy. “I didn’t want to be slowed down. I have too many things I enjoy doing.”

The performance of a hip replacement depends on your age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have this surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can tell if hip replacement is right for you.

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