It’s high praise when we hear that one of our patients has traveled lengths to get to Midwest Center for Joint Replacement. Diane Rizzetta Jarecky is one of those. A South Carolina resident, Diane was willing to fly up to Indianapolis to get an outpatient total hip replacement with Dr. Josh Carter. She flew back home the next day. Here is her story of recovery.
For Diane, physical fitness has always been a priority. Lifting weights, working out regularly, and hiking with her dogs are a part of her daily life. But in recent years, unexpected health challenges began slowing her down: thirteen years ago, Diane underwent radiation therapy. Unfortunately, over time, the radiation therapy made her hips slowly deteriorate.
For years, Diane didn’t realize how much her hips were affected by the radiation. She had no injury—only the slow onset of hip osteoarthritis.
“The pain was most noticeable with simple activities such as walking or climbing stairs,” she said.
As an active person, Diane struggled with the limitations imposed by her hip pain.
“I had to defer workout sessions and cancel social activities because of the extensive pain,” she recalled.
For a while, she didn’t consider the pain to be serious, dismissing it to be from an exercise-induced issue like tendonitis. But after an X-ray revealed the severity of her condition, Diane was shocked to learn she had advanced osteoarthritis in her left hip. The only option was hip replacement surgery.
Diane’s husband knew Dr. Michael Berend from working with him on several mission trips.
“He knew without a doubt that the safest and most successful surgery would be at MCJR in Indianapolis,” Diane explained. “From the first conversation, I could tell that MCJR’s surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses are of the highest caliber.”
Diane’s journey with MCJR began with phone consultations with Dr. Carter, who was recommended to her by Dr. Berend.
“We had lengthy conversations about my symptoms, the X-ray results, surgical options, and projected outcomes,” she recalled. “Dr. Carter also called a few days before surgery to give me specific details about what to expect.”
A retired nurse with experience in orthopedics, Diane had a good understanding of what joint replacement surgery entailed. But she still wondered: Would she be able to return to the level of physical activity she once enjoyed?
Diane flew to Indianapolis and had an outpatient hip replacement at MCJR’s surgery center, Midwest Specialty Surgery Center. The surgery was straightforward, and the recovery process exceeded Diane’s expectations. She was surprised at how little pain she experienced post-operatively.
“I was advised that recovery would take about six weeks, but by week four, I felt as good as new!” she said.
The results of the surgery were remarkable. Diane was able to resume her regular workout routine with ease.
“I continue to work out three to four days a week, with groups of people younger than myself who still have their original hips!” she said. “I can do burpees, squats, run, and jump without pain and without a loss of technique.”
Diane is thrilled with her decision to seek treatment at MCJR. The entire process, from pre-op to recovery, was seamless.
“The staff at MCJR is exceptional. From the reception to the recovery room, everyone was friendly, organized, and well-prepared,” she said. “You can tell that everyone there loves what they do.”
Diane’s advice for others facing joint pain is clear: “Delaying surgery only puts your life on hold while extending the time you spend in pain. Schedule the surgery as quickly as possible so that you can begin enjoying life again.”
Diane is aware that her other hip may also need to be replaced down the road. There is no question where she would go for that surgery!
If you need a consultation for joint pain, call our office today to set up an appointment: 317-455-1064.