After 11 years suffering increasing losses of range of motion, strength, flexibility and quality of life, 88 days ago Dr. Rector flawlessly performed Birmingham Hip Resurfacing surgery on my advanced degenerative arthritic left hip joint. Once the surgeon has done his job, it’s time for the patient to do his. Physical therapy is key. Do not get lazy. Work the muscles until the physical therapist gives you the green light for other exercises. Now I have been officially released from physical therapy having been on my own for the past 34 days. Range of motion has returned, strength improvements continue, my normal walking gait and stride has returned – I’m pain free and smiling. Life is good.

I am currently training for two bicycle tours scheduled for late May and mid-June. In mid-July my wife and I will vacation in the Columbia River Gorge where we will windsurf strong winds day after day for a couple of months. I have no doubt that my new hip socket will perform satisfactorily, however, I will limit my air time to those instances that will result only in ultrasoft landings.

I windsurf, mountain bike, road bike, snowboard, backpack, rock climb, canoe and hunt upland game. My life has always been active and, until arthritis set in, pain free. Now, Dr. Rector has given me back my active, pain-free life. Yesterday, my wife and I rode our road bikes for 1.5 hours, the first outdoor ride this season. Prior to surgery, when on my bike my left knee jutted out at a weird angle due to the arthritic hip. Now, it lines up perfectly with my pedal and I already feel more power than before. Although, I’ll never be a Floyd Landis, I am looking forward to two bike tours planned for early summer – The Black Hills Classic with Dakota Bike Tours and the Tour de Kota. I’m sure that this is only the beginning of a fun-filled future. Thank you, Dr. Rector!

Randy Birch