Michael, CONSERVE^® Total Hip with BFH^® Technology via the PATH^® Technique Recipient

Michael has been an athletic person his entire life. During his childhood, he could always be found on the basketball court and as an adult, he took up tennis. When not on the courts getting a cardio workout, his job as a business owner (selling coolant fluid to companies) has kept in shape by moving 55 gallon drums around his warehouse. While he was always in great shape, he felt his body start to slow down in his early 50's, but attributed it to age. However, he began to suspect it was more than just age when, in 2006, he began to feel a sharp pain in his right leg.

Although an x-ray revealed Michael had four bone spurs on his hip bone, he didn't slow down until the pain started radiating further down his leg and up his back. By early 2007, Michael was struggling to get out of bed, experienced numbness in his leg and hip while driving, and could no longer move equipment at work. Over-the-counter medication was not helpful. Playing tennis was only a dream. When the pain became intolerable in the summer of 2007, he sought the expert advice of Dr. Gregory Tchejeyan of the Thousand Oaks Surgical Center in Thousand Oaks, California.

Dr. Tchejeyan diagnosed Michael with arthritis and suggested he undergo a total hip replacement. At first Mike was a little hesitant, but Dr. Tchejeyan explained he would be implanting Wright's CONSERVE® Total Hip with BFH® Technology and he could employ the minimally-invasive PATH® technique in order to preserve soft tissue and help speed Mike's recovery. With the PATH® technique, Dr. Tchejeyan was able to replace the hip through a small incision, unlike the larger amount of invasive cutting necessary with a traditional hip replacement. Michael underwent the procedure in late summer of 2007 and, according to him, the results have been outstanding.

The first thing Michael noticed after waking up after surgery was that he no longer felt the throbbing arthritic pain that had become such a part of his life. Within 48 hours of the surgery, he was walking up and down stairs. Michael performed his physical therapy exercises and walked his neighborhood, feeling better each day. He knew he made the right decision 10 weeks post-surgery when he was able to play tennis with his collegiate athlete sons. As he says, "Nothing is better than playing competitive tennis with your sons and really giving them a run for their money."

Wright's CONSERVE® BFH® Hip is designed to mimic the natural anatomy and motion of the hip. It features a larger femoral ball and socket design that more closely matches the sizing of a natural femoral head, resulting in greater range of motion, which can reduce the incidence of dislocation. In addition, the implant's metal-on-metal bearing surface is designed to offer the benefits of added durability and reduced wear compared to alternative treatment options.

Furthermore, the larger implant enables a greater range of motion without impingement of the hip, allowing most patients to enjoy a wide range of activities after their surgery. This can make a big difference to those trying to return to a more normal, active lifestyle.

Wright's PATH® Technique offers a smaller incision (2.5-3.5 inches as compared to 8-10 inches required for traditional hip replacement); however, the PATH® Technique is truly minimally-invasive because it is tissue-preserving; preserving all the short external rotators and muscles that allow the hip to function.

Because of this, the PATH® Technique offers patients the potential for decreased recovery time since there is, typically: reduced pain, reduced functional tissue damage, and reduced blood loss associated with this technique. This translates to patients who are able to walk, in many cases completely unassisted, within just days of surgery, as opposed to weeks to months of recovery time associated with traditional hip replacement techniques.

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.