Sterling “Jack” Searcy enjoys the benefits of Florida
living, particularly golf and fishing.
“We live in a golf community,” he says. “I was a big
tennis player, too, but I quit tennis and started playing golf about eight
years ago …until my right hip went out.”
When hip pain from arthritis began to affect his
activities, Jack went to his trusted orthopaedic doctor, David W. Griffin, MD,
who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“Dr. Griffin had scoped my right knee in 1981, when he
first opened his practice,” recalls Jack.
By the time he consulted Dr. Griffin about the hip
problem, however, the pain had gotten to be a serious issue.
“I was still golfing and fishing,” Jack clarifies, “but it
started hurting at night when I was trying to sleep. I knew I had to get it
done.”
Dr. Griffin notes that arthritis pain should always be
addressed with conservative measures wherever possible; however, in cases of
severe pain, he suggests not waiting to have it treated.
“If you have difficulty doing day-to-day activities, and
then you come in because you can’t sleep, you may have waited just a little too
long,” he explains.
Fortunately, Jack got to the doctor in time, and his hip
bone had not yet deteriorated to the point where a successful surgery would be
in question. Dr. Griffin typically uses a cementless stem for total hip
replacement procedures, and he was able to do so for Jack’s procedure.
“Jack had bone ingrowth components put in that didn’t
require cement, because he still had good quality bone,” he explains. “With
younger patients like him, our goal is bone preservation, and so we use bone
ingrowth components whenever possible.
“Prior to Jack’s surgery, I had recently performed a total
knee procedure on one of his golf buddies, Ned Hogan. Hopefully, Jack can go
out now and really compete with his friend in golf and maybe even win a few
bucks,” adds Dr. Griffin with a smile.
Now that he is completely recovered, Jack says, “I was
surprised by how pleased I was with the procedure. Even immediately after
surgery, there was no pain in the joint.
“It’s been over six months, and I don’t even know it’s there
anymore. I’m walking like I did ten years ago. I didn’t realize how much I’d
been limping!”
And though he may not be playing for high stakes, Jack
confirms that he has indeed gotten out on the fairway again.
“The golf game’s back, and everything’s good to go,” he
assures. “I’m glad I had it done.
“I have known Dr. Griffin for a long time,” he reminds,
“and he’s a great guy. I’ve been around a lot of doctors, and he is very easy
to talk to. I will probably have to get my knees replaced one of these days,
and when I do, I’ll go back to Dr. Griffin.”
FHCN –
Michael J. Sahno