Hip Replacement Gives Young Father a Second Chance
Kyle Martin-McGowan survived leukemia, but the very same treatments that saved his life took a tremendous toll on his body. “A trial drug gave me a series of heart attacks and then heart failure,” says Martin-McGowan. “And I developed a vascular necrosis from all the steroids I had to take, which caused my hips to collapse.”
Turned Down by Multiple Surgeons
His hip condition deteriorated to the point that he was confined to a wheelchair. He needed hip replacement, but given his medical history, surgeon after surgeon turned him down, saying the surgery was too risky. “I begged and begged for it,” says Martin-McGowan. “I told them, ‘I’ve got 21-month-old twins, I need this surgery.’ But no one would do it.” About to give up hope, Martin-McGowan was referred to orthopedic surgeon Houston Braly, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Dr. Braly is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Joint Center. At the same time, Dr. Braly, himself the father of a young child, knew successful hip replacement could be life-changing for the young father: “Going through the medical risk factors, I was very concerned, as I didn’t want to hurt him. But I factored in his young twins. I was, at the time, the father of a new baby girl, and I said, ‘You know, I cannot see myself not being able to care for her, getting on the floor and playing with her.’ That helped solidify the decision to perform the surgery.”
Successful Hip Replacement at Memorial Hermann Joint Center
Dr. Braly took comfort in the fact that he would be operating at a Memorial Hermann Joint Center, in a hospital setting with multiple specialists on hand, including Martin-McGowan’s cardiologist. “His cardiologist was instrumental. Before the surgery, we had a powwow, talked about everything, and he was there the day of the surgery, in case anything happened. Fortunately, the surgery went well, and Kyle was up and walking that day,” says Dr. Braly.
A Team Approach
Dr. Braly credits the Joint Center’s team approach for delivering successful outcomes like Martin-McGowan’s. “It’s not just the surgeon. It’s a whole team educating the patient early on. It’s our Nurse Navigator, calling the patient to answer any questions. I give the patients my cell phone and encourage them to call me if they have any other questions. Our physical therapists are terrific. The facilities are awesome,” he says.
Same-Day Surgeries
Dr. Braly says advances in anesthesia and pain management are helping patients get back on their feet in record time following hip and knee replacements: “Advancements in anesthesia, the intra-articular anti-inflammatory injections that we perform, a faster surgery, the implants—there’s a whole mix of factors that we employ to help get the patient up and walking, usually within four hours of surgery. And nowadays, many patients can go home the same day.” Recalls Martin-McGowan, “I was up walking the first day. I was putting my socks on and was able to do regular day activities within about five to six weeks. It was very speedy.”
Herding Twins and Cattle
A cattle trader from Oklahoma, Martin-McGowan is now back to herding his twins and his livestock, thanks to his new hips. “We’re friends on Facebook,” says Dr. Braly, “and he posts a lot of pictures out at his ranch with all the cattle and the bulls. Within three weeks, he was already out with the bulls. I got a bit worried he was going to get chased down.” “Yeah, I was out a little earlier than I was supposed to be,” admits Martin-McGowan, with a laugh.
The Sooner the Better
Asked what advice he would give to someone contemplating hip replacement surgery, Martin-McGowan replies, “The sooner the better. I put mine off, and I regret it more than anything, because it’s more relief than you’ll ever, ever know.” Memorial Hermann Joint Centers are conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area: Bellaire, Greater Heights, Katy, Memorial City, Southeast, Southwest, Sugar Land and The Woodlands. To learn more, visit jointpain.memorialhermann.org or call 713.272.1888
“It’s more relief than you’ ll ever, ever know.” “I put mine off, and I regret it more than anything.” “It’s not just the surgeon. It’s a whole team educating the patient early on. It’s our Nurse Navigator, calling the patient to answer any questions... Our physical therapists are terrific.” Houston Braly, MD