On track to recovery

On Wednesday of last week, I had my first appointment since having full replacement hip surgery done at Mercy Orthopedic Hospital in Ozark, Missouri.

The procedure was performed July 3, and I have since been following specific protocol designed to promote recovery.

Well, to say the least, the appointment went pretty well. When it was over, another appointment was scheduled – in July of 2026.

Yep, a year out. It’s amazing how quickly a body can rebuild itself following this noninvasive form of surgery (called total hip arthroplasty).

Last week’s appointment began with X-rays. Later, my wife Wendy and I met with the man who had performed the surgery, Dr. Bradley H. Walz (pronounced “walls”), and he showed us copies of the images that clearly showed the artificial parts on the left side of the body.

It was incredible. I can hardly believe how well my body has adapted to the “equipment,” and how much I’m already benefiting from the change.

There are so many things I’m doing so much easier pain-free (the way I used to do), like climbing in and out of vehicles, getting in and out of bed, bending over to tie shoelaces, putting the cat’s food bowl on the floor and so much more.

And this may sound odd, but I’m enjoying having both legs be the same length for the first time in ages. Yeah, I had dealt with the bone-on-bone griding for so long that my left leg had become measurably shorter than my right leg.

You might think walking and other general movements with equal-length legs would take some getting used to after such a lengthy period, but honestly, I think having done it for so long makes it more or less instinctive, and I had no trouble going back to “normal.”

Prior to the procedure, I was informed that the targeted time frame for “full recovery” is three months. With full intention of meeting that deadline, so to speak, I’m determined not to take things too fast and let my body become accustomed to its new artificial parts in due time.

With that in mind, I explained my job a bit to Dr. Walz and asked him how long he thought it would be before I realistically could expect to stand on sidelines and take photos at a high school football game.

His humorously delivered reply caught me by surprise.

“I don’t know; next week?”

I was like, “wow, cool!”

Now I truly know why I’ve heard several people say they know someone who had successful hip surgery, or they did themselves. But it’s kind of hard to thoroughly convey the relief; let’s just say I feel like a new man.

Anyway, I have so much gratitude for the way God directed me to Dr. Walz and the other folks at Mercy Orthopedic. This whole experience has gone about as well as could be hoped, and I have so much to be thankful for – like the way Wendy looked after me during the initial couple of weeks post-surgery, and the professionalism and grace that each and every Mercy employee we came in contact with showed.

I certainly find it not surprising that there’s an article in this week’s Herald about U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best hospitals and Mercy Springfield is ranked fourth in Missouri.

Those top three must really be something.