Heavy Lifting after Hip Replacement Surgery
For Laura Cunningham, working hard, serving others, and exploring outdoors are the keys to a happy life. But she has had to fight hard to maintain the life she loves; two chronic health issues and a bad hip threatened this lifestyle for many years. It wasn’t until she came through the doors at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement that Laura began to feel hopeful again.
Laura’s 9-5 job requires good physical fitness: she manages Facilities at the Indiana Rail Road Company, which sometimes puts her in the field doing manual work. Her hobbies don’t let her sit still either – building live edge tables, driving cars, and exploring outdoors and its hidden gems. Two chronic health issues, fibromyalgia and gastroparesis, have created debilitating challenges to remaining mobile, but Laura is a fighter. She has been determined to keep up this lifestyle in spite of everything.
Struggling with Movement
In 2014, Laura fell into a grassy hole while on the job, causing a labral tear. This was “the beginning of the end,” she says. Laura found out that her bone structure was genetically weak, and after this initial tear, her hip joint began to wear. Over the next decade, Laura slowly lost the things that gave her joy.
Everything hurt: walking, sitting, squatting, picking things up. She became depressed, unable to do the things she loved for a decade.
“I went from being active at the gym all the time, to laying on my couch daily. That was both mentally and physically hard on me,” she said.
Laura sought answers from doctors and therapists, but always left dissatisfied. Her physical therapist told her about Dr. Wesley Lackey and Midwest Center for Joint Replacement. So she scheduled an appointment.
Finally Finding Hope
She immediately felt a difference when she walked in the door of MCJR.
“I was blown away by the kindness, professionalism, and compassion from all of the staff!” she said. “Every person went out of their way to get me scheduled, to process paperwork, and find a resolution to my pain.”
Then she met with Dr. Lackey, who was equally comforting and helpful. He suggested she needed a total hip replacement, as she was bone-on-bone and had little labrum remaining. Upon reviewing her x-ray images, she knew this was the only solution to getting her life back.
“From the moment I met him, I was astonished at his compassion and wanting to help me be free from the pain I had been in for so long,” she said.
Laura’s hip replacement surgery was a success. Because of her years of walking incorrectly, Laura had to be extra diligent with physical therapy and following the doctor’s orders. But the MCJR staff graciously walked through every setback with her.
Back to Work Full-Time
Laura was back to work within three months, even transporting and laying over 6,000 pounds of asphalt bags recently, without pain.
“I am back to work stronger than ever and living life! I’m truly active beyond what I ever thought possible. I did not think the replacement would help this much, but wow!” she said. “My hip feels like butter now, smooth as butter!”
Laura encourages anyone with significant hip pain, no matter your age, to consider a hip replacement.
“From a girl that lives a very physical active lifestyle, it’s the best decision I have ever made, and would highly recommend it to anyone.”
“I have purpose again and that is the best gift I could ever ask for! I love doing things to help and bless people.” she said. “Prior to my surgery, I was bound to home and lost that ability and connection with people because of the constant pain. Now I am able to serve every day and I get to experience that joy again.”
