Shannon and Keith’s Story
With an active lifestyle, including working out at the gym, hiking and their fair share of yardwork, hip pain was increasingly limiting Keith and Shannon’s abilities to enjoy the outdoors. The Oconto Falls couple was experiencing hip and leg discomfort for different reasons, but the limitations they were facing were very similar.
“Because of the arthritis in his hips, my husband was dealing with significant pain. He was at the point that even getting into his truck was becoming difficult,” said Shannon. “For me, my hips were starting to give out on me rather frequently. I had hip dysplasia, and the issue was continuing to get worse.”
Shannon remembers dropping to the ground during walks because of the pain. Thankfully, her hip never gave out during one of her frequent backpacking hikes, but it was increasingly a concern.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if my hip went out while I was on one of my backcountry hikes, in the middle of nowhere,” said Shannon. “My husband decided it was time for both of us to consider our options, and surgery was on the table.”
Rather than getting shots of cortisone and frequent physical therapies, which each had grown accustomed to, the couple decided on treating their hip conditions permanently with the Prevea orthopedics team at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay.
The couple connected with Dr. Micheal K. Ryan, Prevea Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon. Dr. Ryan is a dual board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in surgery of the shoulders, knees and hips – including one of the least invasive surgical options for hip replacement, the anterior approach.
“Dr. Ryan came highly recommended,” said Shannon. “After a consultation, Dr. Ryan shared that both my husband and I were good candidates for anterior approach total hip replacement surgery.”
This specialized surgical technique can result in less tissue damage and a faster, more comfortable recovery. The anterior approach allows surgeons to reach the hip joint from the front of the hip as opposed to the lateral (side) or the posterior (back), with no need to cut through major muscle groups surrounding the joint. Keith decided he would get the surgery first and his wife would follow suit, a few months later.
“Within about six weeks of the surgery, both of us were slowly starting to run on the treadmill and ride our bikes again,” said Shannon. “We were both feeling better and more confident in our hips than we had in years.”
Three months removed from treatment, Keith and Shannon were beginning to get back to the physical activities they were once limiting.
For years, Shannon and Keith sought out temporary solutions for their hip pain. Thanks to the expert care provided by Dr. Ryan, today the couple openly recommend those with hip and leg pain to seek out permanent solutions from Prevea’s orthopedic team.
Hip discomfort impacted the activities they loved
“Because of the arthritis in his hips, my husband was dealing with significant pain. He was at the point that even getting into his truck was becoming difficult,” said Shannon. “For me, my hips were starting to give out on me rather frequently. I had hip dysplasia, and the issue was continuing to get worse.”
Shannon remembers dropping to the ground during walks because of the pain. Thankfully, her hip never gave out during one of her frequent backpacking hikes, but it was increasingly a concern.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if my hip went out while I was on one of my backcountry hikes, in the middle of nowhere,” said Shannon. “My husband decided it was time for both of us to consider our options, and surgery was on the table.”
A treatment available from an expert in his field
Rather than getting shots of cortisone and frequent physical therapies, which each had grown accustomed to, the couple decided on treating their hip conditions permanently with the Prevea orthopedics team at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay.
The couple connected with Dr. Micheal K. Ryan, Prevea Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon. Dr. Ryan is a dual board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in surgery of the shoulders, knees and hips – including one of the least invasive surgical options for hip replacement, the anterior approach.
“Dr. Ryan came highly recommended,” said Shannon. “After a consultation, Dr. Ryan shared that both my husband and I were good candidates for anterior approach total hip replacement surgery.”
This specialized surgical technique can result in less tissue damage and a faster, more comfortable recovery. The anterior approach allows surgeons to reach the hip joint from the front of the hip as opposed to the lateral (side) or the posterior (back), with no need to cut through major muscle groups surrounding the joint. Keith decided he would get the surgery first and his wife would follow suit, a few months later.
Gaining strength and confidence following surgery
“Within about six weeks of the surgery, both of us were slowly starting to run on the treadmill and ride our bikes again,” said Shannon. “We were both feeling better and more confident in our hips than we had in years.”
Three months removed from treatment, Keith and Shannon were beginning to get back to the physical activities they were once limiting.
“Now we’re back to our hobbies again and no longer worrying about what could happen,”
said Shannon. “As we continue to get stronger, we’re back at the gym again and getting the yard work completed without pain.”
For years, Shannon and Keith sought out temporary solutions for their hip pain. Thanks to the expert care provided by Dr. Ryan, today the couple openly recommend those with hip and leg pain to seek out permanent solutions from Prevea’s orthopedic team.
“If you have hip pain and it’s only getting worse, have it checked out by an expert like Dr. Ryan,”
said Shannon. “My husband and I worried about our pain for years and both of us wish we would have looked into treatment options much sooner.”