| Elliott Johnson enjoys an active life and looks forward | | | | The surgery is more involved than the traditional hip |
| to a return to the gym, jogging and hitting the road | | | | replacement and patients spend two to three days in |
| in his motorhome after having his left hip resurfaced. | | | | the hospital following surgery. Patients are quickly |
| The Mount Vernon, Washington-based attorney has | | | | gotten up and moving and pain of the previously |
| suffered from hip problems and increasing pain from | | | | arthritic or damaged hip subsides. |
| arthritis in his hip for many years, and two years ago | | | | In fact, Johnson did research his options and was |
| it was clear that his hip was wearing out. | | | | delighted to find that Dr. Rodin is among the few in |
| At 59 years old, he searched for a solution that | | | | the region to perform the resurfacing procedure. |
| would help him keep an active lifestyle for many | | | | "If I am going to be active, it's just really clear that |
| years to come and orthopedic surgeon Curtis Rodin, | | | | this is what I wanted to do and I'm thrilled I could |
| MD of Skagit Island Orthopedic Surgeons had just | | | | have the surgery here," Johnson said. "I want to stay |
| the solution. | | | | active." |
| Dr. Rodin received training in 2006 in the Birmingham | | | | Johnson had surgery on September 29, 2008 and |
| hip resurfacing technique, taught in Birmingham, | | | | nine days later was walking without a cane. One |
| England and followed up with additional experience in | | | | month after surgery, Johnson said he experienced a |
| Calgary, Alberta, performing his first procedures in | | | | little discomfort as he continued to heal, but the true |
| Skagit Valley in May 2007. | | | | pain of his hip and back are gone and he was back |
| Resurfacing is a technique that spares the hip bone | | | | to work half time. At six weeks, he was "virtually |
| and is a good alternative for younger, active patients. | | | | pain free and am back in the gym to start the |
| The orthopedic surgeon shapes the arthritic or | | | | process of getting some strength back into some |
| damaged joint and resurfaces the ball and socket | | | | muscles in my legs and hips." His goal is to attend his |
| with cobalt chrome alloy of stainless steel, creating a | | | | favorite "body pump" class by March. |
| smooth, low-friction surface for the joint. | | | | "It takes time to get your energy back," Johnson |
| Having a resurfacing procedure also reserves the | | | | said. "I could not be happier with the results of my |
| future option of a total hip replacement, which | | | | surgery and the decision to pursue the Birmingham |
| traditionally involves removal of the bone at the neck | | | | resurfacing rather than conventional hip replacement." |
| of the ball, with the implant inserted into the femur. | | | | Johnson has no plans for retirement as he enjoys his |
| "Candidates for hip resurfacing tend to be highly | | | | work in elder law, preparing wills, long-term care |
| motivated, younger people who have already done a | | | | planning and health care directives. It's a job he can |
| fair amount of research on their own and they have | | | | take on the road with him as well, writing and |
| a pretty good idea of what they want to do," Dr. | | | | preparing documents by computer in the motorhome. |
| Rodin said. "A replacement will last 20 years, which | | | | "I love what I do. I'm helping people," he said. "I have |
| isn't very long to a patient with arthritis in their 40s | | | | no interest in retiring. |
| or 50s, or even some in their 60s." | | | | |