Patient Stories
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute
John - Off the Bench
When 60-year-old John was researching his second hip replacement surgery, he was sure of one thing: this time he wanted it done at Sutter. “When you have hip replacement you almost become part of a club,” said John. “We talk to each other and compare notes. I visited a friend after he had his surgery done at Sutter and I spent a lot of time researching doctors. I found Dr. Steven Schule and his group and knew they were the right fit for me.”
As a lifetime athlete, coach and administrator, John’s mobility is a crucial part of everyday life. “I’m the dean of athletics at Sierra College,” said John. “I manage 18 sports teams, have responsibility for 10,000 physical education students and interact with more than 100 faculty. I need to be able to get around.” When his right hip began to show signs of degeneration, Dr. Schule and he discussed his options and outlined a surgical plan.
John originally had replacement surgery on his left hip in 2003. Four years later, he was amazed at how the procedure had changed with Dr. Schule and his team’s approach. “Everything was different,” said John, “even the anesthesiology and medication. This time, they walked me through the entire process so I would know what to expect all the way through recovery.”
John added, “My hospital stay was really short. I had surgery on Friday and left the hospital on Sunday afternoon. The whole time I was there the nursing staff was great – their care and communication. It was a really good experience all around.”
Thanks to the attention of his therapist and Dr. Schule, getting back on his feet was a smooth process, as well. During a regular check-in call a week later his therapist told him that being a coach and athlete didn’t mean he could do more than their plan called for. “I actually got two lectures that day,” said John, laughing. “Dr. Schule called me an hour later and I knew the therapist had tattled on me.”
John is back working out, cycling and golfing again, and he attributes the ease of the entire procedure to the great doctors, nurses, therapists and technology that Sutter brings to the table. “The research the surgeons have done and the time they took to explain everything to me was great,” said John. “I really think Dr. Schule is the best there is.”
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