For Katinka Howell, 54, bicycling and gardening are essential to who she is. She and her husband are used to cycling up to 65 miles at a stretch. The calisthenics of weeding and pruning her garden at her Alamo Heights home also help keep her active. Both activities were great stress relievers until hip dysplasia put the brakes on her physical activity. Hip dysplasia increases the possibility of hip dislocation. With Howell's family history, she knew it was hereditary.
Dr. Jesse Delee, UT Health San Antonio clinical professor of orthopaedics, prescribed treatment methods for her, but the pain persisted. When it began to affect her sleep, she and Delee agreed she needed more aggressive treatment – an anterior hip replacement. Unlike a total hip replacement, an anterior hip replacement involves making an incision from the front. Muscles are moved apart rather than cutting them. This reduces surgery length and recovery time.
Delee recommended Dr. Frank Buttacavoli, a UT Health San Antonio orthopaedic surgeon.
Howell agreed to meet with Dr. Buttacavoli.
Given a choice of hospitals, Howell selected University Health System because she had had a good experience there before.
By mid-afternoon after her surgery, a physical therapist had her taking steps. She was discharged the next morning. After a week of in-home therapy, she was able to walk on her own. In five weeks she was back on her stationary bike.
By fall, nearly six months post-surgery, Howell was back on long rides again.
"I was very pleased with the facility and my private room, and the nurses were so kind," she said. "I had a young physical therapist who worked with me just one time. Two months later I'm at the grocery store and she recognizes me and says hello. I thought that was tremendous.