Mark Atkinson
Anterior hip replacement times two
“My biggest complaint is that I would have liked to stay in the hospital for three nights instead of one – it was such a great experience,” says Mark Atkinson, jokingly of his recent total hip replacements at Los Robles Health System’s Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital (TOSH). The 60-year-old Camarillo resident put off his bilateral hip replacements for two years until he gave in to the hip pain and underwent robotic assisted hip replacements.
“I went in right before COVID-19 shut down the community on March 12 for my first hip and went home the next day,” says Atkinson. He felt immediate relief right after surgery. His second hip replacement was performed a few months later in the throes of the COVID pandemic. “My experience the second time was just as exceptional as the first – the meticulous care was spot on. The COVID test hurt more than the surgery,” he says with a laugh. The main difference was that there were not as many people at TOSH, an isolated surgical center away from any Emergency Room or COVID patients.
Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Harpreet Bawa, performed the procedure. “Mark was a great candidate for an anterior hip replacement. The anterior approach offers a smaller incision, minimal soft tissue injury, reduced post-operative pain and earlier mobilization,” says Dr. Bawa. “Most importantly, he doesn’t have to worry about any dislocation precautions going forward.” Patients who undergo a standard posterior approach hip replacement are forbidden from certain activities and placing their legs in certain positions to prevent dislocation. The beauty of anterior approach hip replacements is that patients do not need any precautions. They can return to yoga, golf, Pilates, or whatever activity that they please postoperatively.
Atkinson says that when he couldn’t do the things he loved – especially golf – he decided it was time to take the plunge and get his hips replaced. The business development executive works from home and says that other than the day of and day after surgery, he took no time off from work. “It all went as planned both before COVID ‘hit’ and during. It was really comforting to know that the surgical hospital sees only elective procedures.” TOSH has no emergency room, but offers a very unique patient experience in an environment designed to promote healing. All patient rooms are private, complete with amenities found in fine hotels, within-room accommodations and meals prepared by and executive chef. Patients often say that they’d like to visit again for dinner!
The Los Robles multi-disciplinary joint care team is comprised of board certified orthopedist, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, nurses, physical therapists and joint specialists who provide a full range of treatment options for each patients’ individual needs. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” says Atkinson. “From the therapists, to my doctors and to the nurses who took care of me – both surgeries went smoothly – with no issues or concerns. I’m playing golf next week, and I can’t wait.”
