Patient Name – Michael J. Noehl – Age 55 – Yorktown, VA
Date of Surgery – February 5th 2014, at Mary Immaculate Hospital
Physician – Dr. Boyd Haynes
Issue: Right Hip degenerative joint disease exacerbated by lower back spinal stenosis/spondylitis of L-5 vertebra
In 2012, I came to the Orthopaedic and Spine Center (OSC) as a follow-up for a second opinion of my back injury that I received while on active duty in the Army. I had been experiencing increased levels of lower back pain and had not received medical care since my retirement from the Army in 2000. I met with Dr. Carlson who recommended pain management and to monitor my condition.
Over the next year, I started to have pain in my right hip. I came in to OSC and met with Dr. Haynes who diagnosed my condition and recommended surgery. At that time, I was very concerned, in fact, averse to hip replacement surgery. I wondered how I could need such a drastic procedure being so young. I told Dr. Haynes that I would prefer to manage the pain and see how it goes. He understood and prescribed me pain medications.
Over the next year, the pain increased in intensity and began to merge with the pain from my lower back injury. I began to take more pain medication and more often. Well, in December 2013, I reached my pain tolerance, as well as my ability for any prolonged standing without intense pain, and I sought out Dr. Haynes. In my visit, he reviewed current x-rays and advised that it was time to fix my right hip. He also believed that he could straighten out my lower back some through the hip replacement, which he believed would help alleviate my back pain. So, I agreed and we scheduled my operation on 5 February, 2014 at the Mary Immaculate Surgical Pavilion .
Through the whole process, Dr. Haynes and his staff were very comforting and understanding of my apprehension and concerns. They went the extra yard to ensure my concerns were minimized. The entire process, from attending the Mary Immaculate Total Joint Classes, Hospital pre-operative admissions testing, hip surgery and recovery was superb. Dr. Haynes and the staff of Mary Immaculate were excellent and provided the best health care I could have asked for. Dr. Haynes met with me the morning of my surgery and again explain what I could expect and that he would be with me throughout the process. He assured me that I would be in good hands. That helped me a lot.
My recovery is well underway and although it is early, I believe through my hip replacement and adjustments I am experiencing less pain from my lower back. I will continue to meet with OSC’s Dr. Carlson for follow-up care should I need to have corrective action done to resolve my back pain.