Hip Replacement Surgery Frees Moscow Woman of Pain and Returns Her to an Active Life
Laura Manning feels like herself again.
A few months after a total hip replacement with Dr. Marvin Kym of Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons, the Moscow woman is back to living her life and no longer experiences the chronic pain she suffered before the procedure.
Manning, a food service worker with the Pullman School District, said the procedure also benefited her family.
“My family is thrilled,” she said. “They don’t like to see me in pain. Now I feel like I’m back to being me.”
The kids called after surgery to see how they could assist, but Laura and husband Gary were able to handle things on their own. When the adult children — Brett, Carly, and Rachel, stepdaughter, Chelsey — came to visit, they were surprised at how she was both pain free and walking without a cane. She had, indeed, come a long way. After an MRI in 2020, Manning received the recommendation for a left hip replacement. She had concerns, however, that the hip prostheses might deteriorate over time. The next four years she spent walking with a cane and enduring “incredible pain,” which wasn’t easy for her family to see. Her husband needed to carry the laundry and any other items up the stairs, “because I could only get myself up there.” Walking the dog was out of the question.
Manning’s primary care physician, Dr. Ray Paz of Moscow Medical, finally convinced her to reconsider a surgical solution. “He mentioned that Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons’ hip and knee replacement program was certified by the Joint Commission,” an organization that accredits many health care entities in the United States. Gritman also has a Total Joint Replacement Education Class that helps patients prepare for their surgery and recovery.
“Dr. Kym gave very thorough explanations using words that I could understand,” Manning said. He assured her that the latest hip prostheses had a very high degree of reliability. “He showed me pictures and models and made sure I was at peace with my decision. He and his staff were all wonderful. I was worried about the anesthesia, but Sunshine Huffman (Orthopedic Certified Nurse Practitioner) and the anesthesiologist informed and prepared both me and my husband, giving us peace of mind.”
Manning underwent an anterior hip replacement procedure in May 2024. “I woke up within a couple hours, and the Physical Therapist came in and had me using stairs and riding a stationary bicycle.” She was released from the hospital on the same day. She said that she didn’t even take a single pain pill, neither prescription nor over the counter. Her five physical therapy sessions at Gritman Therapy Solutions had been conveniently scheduled before her surgery and went exceedingly well.
The surgery has helped Manning get back to regular activities, even returning to work four weeks sooner than anticipated. While she previously needed to be seated while preparing food and cashiering, she can now do so while standing. She has also been doing yard work and walking the dog — a black lab named Bonnie. She also notes that the surgical scar isn’t even visible when she is wearing her bathing suit.
“I’m sure many people my age are scared of surgery,” she said, “but they should just do it and not be in pain.” She expects that she will need surgery later to replace her right hip, and “it will be with Dr. Kym and his staff. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
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