Patient Testimonials

Donna, CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology Recipient
Walking, yoga and skiing are just a few of the activities women in their thirties can enjoy in their free time. They certainly don’t think twice about everyday activities like jogging up a flight of stairs to grab the phone. Healthy limbs and joints are part of what enables younger women to stay active and keep in shape.

For 36-year-old Donna -- and others who suffer from chronic joint pain -- this couldn’t be further from the truth. In her early thirties, Donna’s condition was so poor that it was torture trying to stand after sitting at her desk job for long periods of time. Everyday tasks like going to the bathroom had become extremely painful. She feared her future would be one of watching, but not doing.

Donna was born with a dislocated hip. While she learned to walk normally, she was advised by physicians to refrain from high impact activities. In her early twenties, she got married and enjoyed participating in “couple” activities. She had never experienced the thrill of skiing or the tranquility of sailing and grew to love these new-found activities. However, as Donna approached her 30th birthday, her hip started to give her trouble. That’s when she decided to look into treatment options.

Physicians told Donna to “hold off as long as you can” on total hip replacement surgery because the implants currently available only lasted about 10 years. For a woman Donna’s age, this would mean she would face multiple revision surgeries throughout her lifetime. Doctors advised “we can only do so many surgeries before you would eventually be in a wheelchair.” Donna held off as long as she could by taking pain killers and refraining from activities she loved, but the situation grew steadily worse. “I couldn’t sleep through the night without tremendous pain. I felt like a young woman trapped in an elderly woman’s body.” Donna realized it was time to take action while on vacation in Amsterdam with her husband and friends. She constantly made excuses to stop and sit down, because being on her feet for more than a few blocks was agony. Donna’s hip was deteriorating quickly.

In early 2004, Donna saw Dr. Steven Gitelis. He suggested she try a new total hip replacement, Wright’s CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology. The hip is designed to help reduce the risk of dislocation and to mimic the natural kinematics of the hip. The femur’s natural head is replaced with a large diameter femoral head implant for improved range of motion. Best of all, physicians believe this type of implant can last much longer than the 10-12 years of traditional hips, perhaps up to 30. This was terrific news for 36-year-old Donna.

Donna was implanted with the CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology on March 2, 2004 and she recovered quickly.

“I am so thankful for my new lease on life. I can once again do all of the activities normally taken for granted, like carrying my laundry around the house. I also wouldn’t have been able to change careers if it hadn’t been for the surgery, because my new job requires being on my feet often. I would recommend the BFH® replacement to anyone else in a similar position. I only wish I had the surgery sooner!”

Patient results may vary. Please consult your physician to see if Wright's products are right for you.