Photo Gallery: Success Stories

Hi Everyone – I wanted to give you all an update as to some of my activities since surgery on April 30, 2007.

As you know, I went skiing (downhill) in February 2008 and felt like my old self.  I had skied in pain in 2005 and 2006, not at all in 2007.  Now I was skiing like I did 10 years ago!

This summer I have been riding my jet ski, swimming, lifting weights and do pretty much anything I want.  

After Dr. Gross cleared me to play baseball (hardball) at my one year check-up (April 2008), I started to do some running on grass.  I also started throwing and hitting with great results.  I just now (September 24, 2008) finished playing in our summer baseball league (July – September).  We tied for the league championship.  I run the bases, play the outfield and run down fly balls and line drives.  I hit both right-handed and left-handed.  I am a former Division I baseball player and had played after college until I was unable to play because of my hip arthritis.  I really missed playing.  Now, I can play again and I FEEL GREAT!!!!  These photos were taken at our field.  I am holding the ball I hit for my first base hit after my surgery.  I now plan to go to Florida in November to play in the Roy Hobbs Tournament again after missing four years. 

So as you can tell, my experience with the Biomet Cementless ReCap has been GREAT!!!  Every day I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have been a patient of Dr. Gross and Lee Webb and I am thankful to them every day.  I share my experience with others I meet who are in pain and need the same surgery.  I know I received a great gift from a caring, gifted and innovative team.  Their talent and dedication are unsurpassed.  I will never be able to thank all my friends at Midlands Orthopaedics enough…but I will keep trying.

Bill DeBoer -- Biomet Cementless Rt.Hip April 07

From the time I was a small child, I’ve loved being around and riding horses.  A few years ago, that had to be given up, along with many other physical activities due to severe osteoarthritis in my right hip.  Upon realizing that the joint needed replacement, I began looking for options—Mayo Clinic and local orthopaedic surgeons to name a few.  Thankfully, a colleague at my agency told me about her father, who traveled from Colorado in 2005 to Columbia, SC for hip resurfacing with Dr. Gross.  I immediately looked up the website, read everything and viewed the videos, then contacted Lee.  Within a few weeks, my prayers were answered and I have been riding horses again since spring of 2008.  On September 6 my husband took this picture of Ebony and me, a horse I ride in Wolf Laurel, NC where we have a retirement home.  Being able to do what I love and be physically active again is worth much more than any money could buy! Thank you, Dr. Gross, Lee, Nancy and all the TEAM at Midlands Ortho.

Connie G., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Right hip resurface, November 2007

I had surgery to resurface my left hip in March 2005 at the age of 39. I was extremely active for my entire life. I was a gymnast in high school and started running in college. I continued to run after college and started teaching high impact and step aerobics. I did high-impact type cardiovascular exercises for 2-4 hours per day, 6 days a week. After 10 years of wear and tear on my hip, I couldn't run anymore and limped when I walked. I began road biking because it didn't hurt. Eventually even road biking hurt. A local sports medicine orthopedic surgeon took an X-ray and said I had no cartilage in my left hip. He suggested a hip replacement. A second surgeon agreed with the first. I was devastated. I continued to live in pain because I didn't want to have a hip replacement. A friend told me his son had his hip resurfaced and was surfing 8 weeks later. Another man brought me an article about hip resurfacing and Dr. Gross. I cried because I knew there was hope that I could again have an active lifestyle. I sent my X-Rays to Dr. Gross in November 2004, and when he called me at home a week or two later to discuss my case, I was 90% sure I was going to have him resurface my hip. After all, what doctor calls someone at home to discuss their case? I met with him in January 2005 and scheduled the surgery for March 2005.

Since the surgery, I no longer limp and almost feel as good as new. My main forms of exercise are road biking, the elliptical trainer, walking, spinning and swimming. I've also been able to run a little (3-5 miles, once per week), ski (snow and water), weight lift, hike and yoga (although I'll probably never be able to do some of the moves). In September 2009, I competed as part of an all-female team in the Augusta 1/2 ironman. I was the biker on the team and completed the 56 mile course in 2 hours and 54 minutes (19.3 mph average). After I ran the bike to my team-mate in the transition area, I jumped up and down because my time was pretty darn good and because I felt great. Before the surgery, I probably would have averaged closer to 15 mph since my hip would hurt if I pushed too hard.

I honestly believe Dr. Gross, Lee Webb and their team gave me my life back. Not just my physically active life, but my mental life. I'm happier and I no longer snap at people because my hip hurts. I've found exercise is the best way for me to relieve stress. With age, I learned to work out smarter because I want this hip to last!

J.L. Biomet Cemented, Left March 2005

My life has been centered on being a professional sports instructor for almost forty years; teaching high level snow skiing eight hours a day, seven days a week, for going on forty winters; and teaching high level windsurfing many hours a day in Hawaii for over 25 summers.
 After hundreds of hours of research and a few orthopedic consultations, I discovered and visited Dr. Gross and Lee Webb in 2007. I was extremely impressed by their degree of caring, their striving for the highest level of perfection, and their unending patience and dedication to what is best for their patients. I decided that they were my team when the time was right. My research made me confident in the uncemented Biomet resurfacing procedure developed by Dr. Gross.
The experience in South Carolina was wonderful from start to finish; very sincere and caring people, and a relatively pleasant and painless surgical experience.
At exactly six months, I excitedly got back on skis, and spent the first day skiing advanced runs in powder and mixed conditions. There were initially some sore and scary moments, since I did not exactly start off nice and easy like Dr Gross had suggested, but it was very wonderful and exciting to feel that the new hip was going to work. I immediately went back to my regular eight hours a day teaching schedule for the entire season, and the new hip performed very well in all conditions. I celebrated the end of my “new hip” season with a week of helicopter skiing up in the Canadian Rockies. The first year has had lots of little twinges, aches, and sore times from the soft tissue healing; but already during this first season, the joint has less pain, and much more range of motion than before. Other activities like walking, jogging, and biking are better than in many years. This summer, I am looking forward to lots of windsurfing, surfing, and maybe getting back into tennis for the first time in years.
I am filled with respect and gratitude for Dr. Gross, Lee Webb, and the rest of their team; and would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to get a second chance for a bad hip.

John C.
Biomet Uncemented, April 2008

My story is very similiar to that of many of other patients. I was an avid runner for many years and  developed severe arthritis in my right hip by my mid forties. After waiting a few years and giving up just about all my outside activities, I dedided that surgery was inevitable. I spent a lot of time on the Internet exploring hip resurfacing and various surgeons and decided on Dr. Gross.  My local surgeons in the Pittsburgh area either didn't recommend resurfacing or had very little experience. After talking with Dr. Gross on the phone I was sure I did the right thing.
The entire experience went exactly as I was told it would. I couldn't believe the lack of pain after the surgery. The hospital was spotless and the entire team was courteous and professional. It is so rare in today's world to encounter such precision. 
My recovery went well and I went from crutches to a cane at about a week. I followed the exercise program and used the ice machine as much as possible. It is truly fantastic.  My walking progressed rather slowly until I tried a 4 mile walk and developed a bit of bursitis which was managed with a few weeks of Celebrex. I learned not to overdue it and listen to my body. I realized some were running at a few months but I wasn't ready. I began using the elliptical machine as well as walking and started cycling as soon as the weather broke.  I can now ride 30 miles and am exercising at least 4-5 times per week. My recent backpack trip downt the Pacific Coast was quite an experience. My boys and I hiked for 3 days, along the beach and thru the woods, about 25 miles total with heavy backpacks.I initially thought my hip wouldn't take the extra weight, especially climbing steep rope ladders, but I had absolutely no problems and felt great. I could never have done it a year ago!!
Suffice to say that I am extremely happy with my new hip and because of everyone at Midlands Ortho I have my life back. I always tell anyone I meet to get it done as soon as possible. It is truly lifechanging.

T.S.
Biomet Uncemented, Right, Sep 2008

For 10 years, I struggled with the aftermath of a corticosteroid-induced AVN episode in my left hip, leaving me with bone-on-bone severe pain and large cysts within the femoral head. I'd been an active triathlete since 1985, and had completed the Canada Ironman 6 months before a cortisone injection for poison oak led to early AVN and the total loss of cartilage in my left hip. (My right hip has remained completely healthy). Triathlon, running, XC skiing, backpacking - are all essential for my psychology and happiness, and a standard "total hip" was too depressing to think about. I dropped my research in astronomy and spent hundreds of hours learning everything at the University of California San Francisco Medical Libary about bone, cartilage, hips, hip surgery, and AVN. Through SurfaceHippy on yahoo groups, I discovered Dr. Gross and decided his improved design of a femoral cap was my best option for returning to an active life. His design promised a much stronger bond between metal cap and bone than competing designs, and the porous ingrowth surface would provide a strong bond with my bone. This interface could even be expected to heal (with care) from minor traumas which would instead lead to ultimate failure in a cemented cap. While waiting for the availability was longer than I'd planned, I'm very happy with the results. In my office visits and correspondence, Dr. Gross was clear, detailed, informative, non-condescending, and gave me options on how to deal with my severe osteoporosis. He was clearly excited and enthusiastic when discussing hip prostheses and design criteria. This was very telling for me. I did not want a 9-to-5 doc who would assembly-line a hip for me with old technology. While my bone quality was not strong, he felt (and I agreed) that the evidence suggested my osteoporosis was inactivity-induced, and that my bone quality would markedly improve once I could resume activity. He advised 2g/day of calcium with appropriate vitamin D. I'm extremely grateful that he allowed me to be one of the first of the uncemented Biomet ReCap patients - in June 2007. This too was important for me - I wanted a doctor who would respect my understandings, my choices, and give me an honest appraisal of the risk/reward for my options rather than force me into a choice which might be proven in the short term, but not provide the hoped-for longevity. I was clear that I understood the uncertainties and believed this design was the best for me, and he honored my wishes.
My enthusiastic thanks to Dr. Gross and his excellent and professional staff in making my trip to South Carolina and surgery such a wonderful life-changer for me!

Rick N- Biomet Cementless Left Hip June 2007

Dr. Gross performed surgery on me on January 30th 2008. 345 days later I finished the Disney half marathon in under 2 hours. In fact my time was within 5 seconds of the time I ran just three short years ago. The hip feels great and I'm negotiating with my wife Sally about the upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon. She wants me to be cautious and I want to be 21 years old again. I'm back to playing hockey twice a week again. I'm still building back my strength and speed, but I play without pain or even a thought of my hip. Really the only time I think about it is when I pass through airport security.

I'm looking forward to better things to come. But I wanted you to know that I thought a lot about each of you during my training for the race. In fact my Ipod playlist for the race included at least on selection from the Eagles just for Lee. Truly I can't express in words how grateful I am for your care and skill. My active lifestyle is back and like many of your patients, I still have more mountains to climb and dragons to slay. I couldn't have done it without you.

Mike T - Feb 2009

I can't believe it's been almost 3 years since I had my right hip resurfaced and 2.5 years since my left hip was resurfaced.  It turned out better than I ever imagined.  When you're frozen and in pain, it's hard to imagine that you will ever feel normal again, let alone be active and enjoy the things you once did before osteoarthritis set in.   When being able to do the things you love is taken away...and then given back, it's a feeling like I've never experienced.   I am Grateful everyday for the life I have gotten back and I enjoy every minute of it.  Today, I hike, spin, practice yoga, do some light jogging and walk with friends.  I went skiing in Colorado this past Christmas and at Thanksgiving I ran a 5 K...and I thought to myself...I wish Dr. Gross and Lee could see me now!!  My mantra that has driven me through all of this is...

"Life is not measured by the number of breathe's we take,
but by the number of moments that take our breathe away". 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to once again experience moments that take my breathe away.  I will be forever grateful.  

Linda S- 1/2009. Bilateral: Right - 3/06; Left  - 10/06

I did a tremendous amount of research when I found out my hip had problems, spoke to a lot of people and there is no doubt in my mind I chose the right doctor. Thank you all so much for giving me the ability again to do those things I love to do again. I remember Dr. Gross telling me I was only the fourth person he had installed a cementless device in and I don’t regret that decision at all either. Not only is everyone very skilled at their job, but all of you are terrific and good people.
I was hunting the following August with my wife (surgery was on March 28) and in November I was back to snowmobiling. This is a picture of myself snowmobiling in December of that year and as you can see I am not a person to stay on the trails. I love the deep powder and once again I can enjoy the powder with no pain in the hip. I can also wrestle with my grandkids again and you can put no price on that. My world has become what it used to be.

Thank you very much.

Tom A.-L Biomet Uncemented, 3/28/2008

I attached a photo from a short 4 mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park last weekend (Nov. 2008) in Colorado. I never would have done that hike nor the other one in Lake Louise, Alberta in early October without my resurfaced hip. The October hike started way down below at that big building. Please feel free to show these photos to your prospective patients who are still pondering whether resurfacing is worth the trouble.

Thanks.

K L - L Hip 10/17/2007

Please include this picture as part of my 5-year follow up for Hip-resurfacing surgery.  I am on the right with my youngest daughter, Cassie, on the bottom left.  We are skiing black diamond runs at Moonlight Basin in the grand state of Montana.  
For most people, our legacy is not created by the degrees we earn or the money we make.  Ultimately, it is the memories we leave our children and our grandchildren. Thank you and Dr. Gross for giving me the opportunity to make some of those memories.

- Ed W.

I am in the process of completing my 4-year follow up after you and Dr. Gross resurfaced my left hip (June, 2004). At the time of my surgery, my youngest son, Jack, was undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. He has now been declared "cured"!! This past August I rode in a charity bike ride
called the Pan Mass Challenge (www.pmc.org <http://www.pmc.org/> ) and raised over $13,000.00 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute / Jimmy Fund Clinic (the hospital that saved his life). I am enclosing a photo of Jack and myself.

- Jim.

Wishing Dr. Gross, Lee and staff a Healthy and Happy 2009. You guys are always in my thoughts as I journey forth without pain. Thought I'd share with you what your great work has done once again. This was taken of me Christmas morning at our mountain. We have gotten hammered with snowstorm after snowstorm, and someone has to ski this stuff. LOL. Also found out Dr. Gross has done a number of skiers in Crested Butte, where I used to live. We should have a reunion there!
Again, may I wish a year of happiness for you all...

- S P.

I wanted to let you know a few success stories since I had my hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross. In August of 2006, approx. 1 year after surgery, I met my goal of climbing my first Colorado 14 thousand foot peak called “Grey’s Peak”. 1 week later I got pregnant and we are expecting our first child in May. For years I could not consider having a baby due to the chronic and constant pain that I was living with. The surgery has changed my life back to what it used to be. I am happy, peaceful and can focus on so many other things now that my pain is gone. Please pass this on to Dr. Gross and thank him again for the wonderful job he did on me.

- Tara P.

This is the Grand Gulch in Southeastern Utah. There is wonderful ancient rock art and beautiful cliff dwellings to be seen. It was a cold day with the temps in the 30's. The hip gave me NO problems, especially since I was carrying a bunch of gear and food in my pack. My friend took this picture of me. Every step I take now in the canyons, I thank my lucky stars I found you guys. All the sounds and sights seem to be more enhanced when you are given a second chance.

- Shelly P.