Football coach back on the field after hip replacement

Ruben provides athletes with guidance for physical conditioning as well as proper training techniques for free weights and other strength training equipment. His career as a strength and condition coach requires that he stay active and be able to demonstrate proper training techniques to athletes.

When Ruben first began mild pain in his right hip, he didn’t think much of it and certainly didn’t let it interfere with his work or lifestyle. Unfortunately, the hip symptoms persisted and he also noticed reduced range of motion in his hip along with low back pain. He talked with one of the team physicians about his symptoms and the physician suggested Ruben try some specific exercises and stretches that could help relieve some of the pain symptoms. Ruben incorporated the stretching exercises into his routine and found that the exercises did offer some relief.

Five years passed, and unfortunately Ruben noticed that his hip and back pain symptoms were getting worse. While he was used to the pain and maintained his active lifestyle, he also knew he didn’t want to continue living with the symptoms.

A team physician referred Ruben to a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon at South Bend Orthopaedics. In June 2010, Ruben made an appointment to visit SBO. The surgeon ordered X-rays of Ruben’s hip and after viewing the films, determined Ruben had osteoarthritis of the right hip, which was causing the low back pain as well as his hip pain. He would need a hip replacement surgery to repair the damage and permanently relieve the pain. While he could continue with nonsurgical care, the conservative methods were not likely to bring lasting relief. The fellowship-trained surgeon discussed with Ruben what to expect during and after a hip arthroplasty surgery. He decided to have the surgery and the procedure was performed in July 2010.

Ruben was in the hospital for two days and felt almost immediate relief from his pain. He entered the South Bend Orthopaedics physical therapy department not long after his surgery where the therapists showed him exercises that would make him stronger and help get him back to action quickly.

Today, Ruben has improved range of motion in his hip, he can once again tie his shoes, something that was not possible before surgery. Best of all, the constant pain that was a way of life is gone. Ruben has returned to lifting weights - without the pain. He is back to his career on the field and in the gym as a strength and conditioning coach.

Click here to download a PDF of Ruben's successful recovery from hip replacement surgery.