Recovery story: Katalin Réz-Tóth
Author Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár | 2023.04.03.
Advanced cartilage wear of the hip joint can occur at a young age. After conservative treatments proved ineffective, Katalin Réz-Tóth turned to BMM. Finally, Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár gave Katalin back the freedom of pain-free movement.
The persistence of excruciating pain
This pain that you are experiencing, you want to get rid of it very quickly....I took a lot of painkillers. Even walking was a challenge. In order for me to go shopping I had to take two painkillers to get around a small store.
When hip pain first appears, many people think it is temporary and will go away. Joint wear and tear will not heal on its own, so it's worth starting at the beginning seek medical help at the onset of symptoms.
Hip joint wear at a young age
Wear and tear of the hip joint usually occurs at an older age. In Katalin Réz-Tóth's case, however, the first symptoms appeared at the age of 45. In most people, conservative therapy (medication, physiotherapy, injections) can eliminate the symptoms in the early stages of the disease. However, there are some patients for whom these treatments are ineffective and the aggravated hip joint cartilage deterioration. By this time only surgery is a real solution.
For Katalin, the initial no results from conservative therapy. The worsening of his symptoms caused him unbearable pain, and in his daily life faced with a narrowed gait. For this reason, the turned to a surgical solution and found BMM.
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár is how Katalin describes her initial condition:
Katalin is a 48-year-old female patient who came to us in September 2022 with hip joint pain. Her right hip was very painful. ...She had been suffering from hip pain for 2-3 years, she was 45 years old at the time. Usually at 45 it's very rare for people to have hip joint pain.
Private care instead of long waiting lists
When I was put on the waiting list, at first I hoped they would tell me, but I was in so much pain that we decided at home: I don't want to do this anymore. That's when I started looking for a private route. That's how I found BMM.....Doctor Gáspár was the most sympathetic to me. For me it was important whether I could choose a doctor or just the practice itself.
In our private clinic, the well-being of our patients is our priority. We offer our patients the opportunity to walk the path to a full recovery with the doctor they like best.
All tests in one place
The lady I spoke to was very nice. It was very nice not to have to go to twenty places for blood tests, all kinds of x-rays. They did it all in one go at the hospital. It was very convenient for me.
Preparing for surgery involves a thorough examination. We also try to make the preparation for the operation as easy as possible for our patients. We can carry out all the tests in one place, helping to ensure a smoother and more efficient preparation and a successful operation.
The need for surgery
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár summarised the need for surgery for Katalin:
Unfortunately, it had to be concluded that Katalin had developed a very advanced right hip joint abrasion. This is why conservative treatment was completely ineffective.
Above a certain level of joint wear, conservative treatment is pointless, we cannot help the patient in this way. We also offered him that the only way to relieve his pain was to operate and insert a hip joint prosthesis. He accepted.
Implantation of a cementless prosthesis
Due to Katalin's young age and good physical condition, a cementless prosthetic system was implanted. No bonding material is used to insert the prosthesis, so the bone can grow onto the surface of the prosthesis. Using this system, the patient can be back on their feet and starting rehabilitation the day after surgery. Hip replacement surgery is performed without cutting the muscle, using a method called muscle shifting. This speeds up the recovery process.
After the operation
After 10 days, when I came up for stitches, I only had one crutch. After 6 weeks I could take the crutches off. It will now be three months since my operation and I am in perfect condition.
Regular physiotherapy with the help of a qualified physiotherapist is key to post-operative rehabilitation.
BMM's team of highly qualified physiotherapists help our patients to enjoy the joy of free movement again.
A lot of people contacted me after my surgery, friends of similar age. I told everyone, and I can really recommend to anyone, not to wait until they are in this situation like I was. ...You don't have to wait until it hurts so much and you don't have to be scared at all.
I recommend BMM to everyone, everyone!