Denise suffered much longer than she should have with severe arthritic hip pain before having her first hip replacement surgery. The pain was so intense she could have fallen at any time. The thought of having surgery terrified her.

When she was searching for an orthopedic specialist, she knew she wanted someone who performed the AMIS approach (anterior) to hip replacement but had a hard time finding someone at the Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals who performed the minimally invasive technique. Additionally, getting in to see an orthopedic specialist in a timely manner at either of those facilities was incredibly difficult.

After complaining about the appointment wait times at work, a colleague let her know about Dr. Nicholas Callahan, an orthopedic specialist at Cleveland Orthopedic & Spine Institute. Dr. Callahan specializes in the anterior approach (AMIS technique) to hip replacement surgery. This approach is non-muscle-cutting, keeps the nerves from being damaged and offers a speedier recovery. She scheduled an appointment to see him and didn’t have to wait months.

“Dr. Callahan was so incredibly honest and easy to talk to, he is genuinely concerned about my well-being and recovery. He outlined the AMIS surgical process and asked me meaningful questions. Not many surgeons are like that, and it put me at ease,” says Denise.

Dr. Callahan practices the AMIS technique for hip procedures. This minimally invasive anterior approach protects and preserves the periarticular structures of the hip and delivers a huge advantage to the patient: significantly shortened rehabilitation time. His bikini incision method, which was designed by a plastic surgeon but adapted for hip replacement surgery, leaves a lesser scar, and heals better than the traditional incision used by most hip surgeons.

After the surgery, the only pain Denise felt was what someone might feel after a good workout. “The pain dissipated quickly, and I only used a walker for two days after my surgery,” says Denise. “You can barely see my scar.”

Because she had suffered so intensely for so long with her right hip before the surgery, she was extremely overprotective of the left (which also had arthritis) and the muscles had atrophied before surgery. Dr. Callahan did have to remind her during her post-op appointment that her recovery was a marathon, not a race. She was diligent about following her physical therapy protocols.

Even with the atrophied muscles in her “good” hip, Denise was able to stand long enough for a two-hour grocery shopping trip a week after her surgery. Within a month after surgery, she was already back to feeding the birds in her backyard and running errands.

“I couldn’t have found a better surgeon than Dr. Callahan and I recommend him highly to those suffering with hip or leg pain. I feel that I am back to my old self,” says Denise.

Her trust in Dr. Callahan gave her the confidence to replace her other hip. Because she recovered so quickly Denise was able to fix her “good” arthritic hip a year later using the AMIS approach. She isn’t afraid of surgery anymore and was eager to have the same result as the first surgery, which she did.

“Sometimes I forget I’ve had surgery. I can cross my ankles and knees without a problem. I don’t even go to the chiropractor anymore because my alignment isn’t off like it was. When you have major surgery and you can’t remember that you had it, it means your surgeon has exceptional skill and ability. I’m grateful for Dr. Callahan and will return to the Cleveland Orthopedic & Spine Institute for any of my orthopedic needs.”

Her trust in Dr. Callahan gave her the courage to replace her other hip. Because she recovered so quickly Denise was able to fix her “good” arthritic hip a year later using the AMIS approach. She isn’t afraid of surgery anymore.

“Sometimes I forget I’ve had surgery. I can cross my ankles and knees without a problem. I don’t even go to the chiropractor anymore because my alignment isn’t off like it was. When you have major surgery and you can’t remember that you had it, it means your surgeon has exceptional skill and ability. I’m grateful for Dr. Callahan.”