The Anterior Hip Replacement Gospel according to Nancy Labombard
“It’s as if someone miraculously took away the pain.”
That’s how Nancy Labombard of Easthampton views her life following two anterior hip replacement surgeries at Berkshire Medical Center. She had been in pain since 2006, and it was gradually getting worse.
“I was worried about taking so much Advil, and I was tired of suffering every day,” she recalls. Two years ago, Nancy made arrangements to have the first of two hip replacement surgeries at another hospital closer to her home in Easthampton.
Her grandson – who had heard about anterior hip replacement surgery – urged her to consider that option instead, and even did the research which revealed that BMC offered the new alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery.
“I quickly made an appointment with Dr. Kevin Mitts and I loved what I heard,” she said. “I cancelled my surgery at the first hospital and proceeded with Dr. Mitts and BMC.”
Anterior hip replacement surgery is an alternative treatment to traditional hip replacement in which the technique leaves key muscle groups surrounding the hip and thigh bones undisturbed. The surgeon works between those muscles and tissues, rather than having to detach and subject them to trauma. The anterior hip approach provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility soon after surgery.
“It was everything they said and better,” Nancy continued, adding that she was only the second anterior hip replacement patient that her physical therapist in Easthampton had cared for following surgery. “She was amazed at what I could do,” Nancy said. “Ten days after surgery, I took a walk up my street.”
The following year, Nancy had her second hip replaced at BMC using the anterior method, with the same results. Today, she is doing household chores like mowing her lawn, shoveling her walk and working in her garden, pain free.
“After years of suffering, this has been the biggest blessing in the world,” she said. In fact, Nancy has become one of BMC’s most ardent apostles, telling others about anterior hip replacement and BMC. “I have a very dear friend who suffered even longer than me. I actually drove her to the appointment with Dr. Mitts and she had the same procedure done. She tells me I saved her life.”
