Levon
Harrington knew that his hip pain — the
byproduct of years spent playing amateur sports —
made surgery inevitable.
“I was diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis
three years ago,” he says. “Doctors told me that
sooner or later I would require surgery. I preferred
later rather than sooner.”
Eventually, the over-the-counter medicines —
even prescription medications — failed to be
effective, and the pain grew progressively worse.
“I’m a very active person,” says Harrington,
who previously coached youth sports and is
active in his church and the community. “When
it got to the point that I couldn’t do the things
I like to do comfortably, I knew it was time for a
new hip.”
Getting ready for surgery
Harrington’s primary care provider referred him to
Clinton Bell, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Methodist
Charlton Medical Center.
“Dr. Bell met with my wife and me and explained
the details of the surgery,” Harrington says. “He
made us feel very comfortable.”
Adding to his comfort was the Joint Academy at
Methodist Charlton. This free educational workshop
prepares patients both mentally and physically for
upcoming joint replacement surgery, for achieving
the best possible surgical outcome, and for a fast
return to normal daily activity.
Harrington is complimentary of the professionals
teaching his Joint Academy class.
“I appreciated having the opportunity to ask
questions to a nurse specially trained in orthopedics,”
Harrington says, adding that he found the program
extremely helpful and reassuring. “It put our minds
at ease.”
Getting back in the game
All went well with Harrington’s surgery, which
required only one small incision. And rehabilitation
got him back to walking without a cane or any
assistance in a matter of months.
With retirement from his supervisory position
at a leading aerostructure manufacturer in his
future, Harrington looks forward to playing in golf
tournaments and giving back to the community.
“My experience at Methodist Charlton and
with the Joint Academy could not have been
better,” he says. “I was so impressed with everyone,
from the physicians, to the nurses, to the staff.
Everyone was so polite and attentive. I give
the surgery and everyone associated with it a
high rating.”
10
Methodist Charlton Medical Center
•
❁
Summer 2014
JOINT REPLACEMENT
We’ll
coach
you through it
