Durham Woman Back in the Pool Following Hip Replacement Surgery at Duke
Dr. Brekke greets Ava Brownlee during her follow-up appointment post hip replacement.
Ava Brownlee, 69, had her left hip replaced at Duke in 2016. Eight years later, when she began to experience the same type of pain in her right hip, she knew just where to turn. Now, following her second hip replacement, Brownlee is back to her exceptionally active life. “I can do everything I was doing before,” she said.
Duke Comes Highly Recommended
Ava Brownlee spends much of her time at the pool – swimming and teaching others to swim. One day in the locker room, she heard a woman talking about issues she’d had with her hip, and how pleased she was with her doctor at Duke. So when the arthritis in Brownlee’s hip became unbearable, calling Duke was a no-brainer.
A Successful First Surgery and a Look Into the Future
“I was told that I had no cartilage in my left hip, and little cartilage in my right hip,” said Brownlee. “They said that in about four years, I’d probably be back to have the right hip replaced as well,” She had her first successful hip replacement at Duke in 2016.
Eight years later, Brownlee began feeling the tell-tale signs in her right hip. She called Duke, and was referred to orthopaedic surgeon Adam Brekke, MD.
Providers Inspire Confidence
“[Dr. Brekke and I were] a match made in heaven,” said Brownlee, adding that she has referred four or five people to him in the past year. “He has such a wonderful bedside manner.” She was also able to continue working with Duke physician assistant James Messersmith, PA-C, who was with her previous surgeon who has since retired, Dr. Scott Kelley. “Jamey is the best,” Brownlee said. She began working with her personal trainer on strengthening the areas around her hip in preparation for her surgery and recovery.
On February 27, 2024, Brownlee underwent a successful right hip replacement with Dr. Brekke at Duke Regional Hospital. She was at the hospital at 5:30 am, and home by 1:30 pm. Dr. Brekke noted that same-day surgery is a great choice for many, but not right for everyone. “If you want a very efficient, same-day surgery, we offer that. If you have medical conditions that require extra attention, or if you want to stay in the hospital for precautionary measures, we can do that, too,” he said.
Team Effort Leads to Excellence
“One of the reasons why hip replacements at Duke are so successful is that each of the surgeons on our team are dedicated solely to joint replacements (for the hip and knee),” said Dr. Brekke. “Our physician assistants, trainers, nurses, therapists, and staff also focus solely on that. When everyone is dedicated to that one procedure, we get really good outcomes.”
Post-Surgery Healing and Recovery
Following the surgery, “I had soreness, but no pain,” said Brownlee. “Pain was before I had the hip replacement surgery!”
“There's some recovery afterwards, and sometimes that involves some pain or soreness,” confirmed Dr. Brekke. “But in each case, we want you upright and moving, while taking it easy. Over time, we can increase your activity level.”
Brownlee started walking soon after she got home, and about six to eight weeks after the surgery, she was back to her full regimen of working out with a personal trainer; swimming and teaching swimming; and walking for exercise.
Why Wait?
“If you need your hip replaced, the only question you're going to ask yourself is, why did it take me so long to do it?” said Brownlee. “You don't have to walk around in pain. You can get your life back.”
Dr. Brekke agrees. “If your quality of life is being affected now, it may be worthwhile to have hip replacement surgery even if you're young,” he said. “We've treated folks in their 90s, and folks who are young adults; both first-time hip replacements, and revision surgeries. Whoever and wherever you are, we have an expert who's waiting for you.”
