At the time, it didn’t seem like such a bad fall. I was able to quickly get back to my feet. The pain in my elbow was really bad and the swollen nature if the dislocation was such that I didn’t even notice the pain in my hip. Over the next week or so, as treatment on the elbow had begun, I begin to notice more and more pain in my right hip and had developed a significant limp.
The initial diagnosis of the hip was a minor fracture of the acetabulum. Physical therapy was the prescribed treatment. After months of PT, it was not getting any better. In fact, the pain was increasing and motion was becoming more restricted. Injections of the hip did not produce any better results. Eventually, the diagnosis came back that the injury to the hip produced a significant onset on existing Osteoarthritis. Before the injury, I never knew the arthritis was present. A total hip replacement was the only answer.
The doctor I was seeing was very good. However, he only did posterior surgery. From what I was able to learn, the anterior approach was the much better way to go. “Everyone” was recommending I travel to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in NYC. Not being a fan of dealing with travel into the city, not to mention the cost of a trip, I searched for a doctor in my area (Somerset, NJ).
My search led me to Dr. Stephen Kayiaros at University Orthopaedic Associates, right in my town. The fact he had trained at HSS led me to call for an appointment immediately. At my first appointment he confirmed the diagnosis and determined I was a good candidate for outpatient surgery. I must say that I was completely impressed by his knowledge and how he carried himself (despite his very youthful appearance, he knows his stuff!).
The day of the surgery came. I was in surgery at 7:30am and back in my own home by noon. The incision was minimal. The recovery went extremely well. Very quickly I was back to my pre-injury self. My range of motion with the right hip is great. To be able to do the “little things” like putting on my shoes and socks without pain or effort is wonderful.
It’s only been six months but I am very pleased with the results. Dr. Kayiaros and all the staff have been great! From the receptionist when you first walk in the door, to his Physician’s Assistant, to the nurses, to the x-ray technicians, to the insurance specialist, to his assistant who scheduled my surgery, all the way to the final desk… everyone was pleasant and great to deal with, I am very pleased with them all and highly recommend them.
Dr. Kayiaros is an amazing surgeon! He is kind, listens, and addresses all your concerns. My hip replacement went as smoothly as Dr. Kayiaros explained, even better. Several years ago I had my other hip replaced by a different surgeon using the Posterior approach. It was truly barbaric in comparison to the Anterior approach that Dr. Kayiaros performed. With the posterior approach my recovery was 12-16 weeks, a lot of Physical Therapy, tons of restrictions, a lot of pain, loss of muscle in my thigh, and a huge scar.
With Dr. Kayiaros and Anterior Approach I was back to work full time in 4 weeks, there was really no Physical Therapy and the pain was minimal. There was no restrictions. There is No muscle loss, and the scar is very small.
I thank Dr. Kayiaros and University Orthopedics with all my heart and recommend them highly!
The week of Thanksgiving, 2015, Dr. Stephen Kayiaros performed my bilateral anterior total hip replacement (those are my new hips in the X-ray). I chose him for his impressive background and his experience, as well as his caring and compassionate nature.
I had been in excruciating pain for ages and was walking slowly with a cane. I felt like a miserable, enfeebled old woman. I was confident that Dr. Kayiaros and this surgery were right for me.
It wasn’t long after the procedure that I was pain free and walking unaided! Dr. Kayiaros gave me my life back, and I feel like he restored my youth! I can once again enjoy exploring outdoors and dancing, and I’m finally able to be a very active volunteer at Monkey’s House, a Dog Hospice and Sanctuary (www.monkeyshouse.org)! Anything seems possible now!
Hip-hip-hooray, thank you, Dr. K.!
Dr. Kayiaros is one of the best doctors in my 78-year-old medical experience. He is caring, thoughtful, and his credentials are beyond impeccable. He has a wonderful personality to go with his expertise as a doctor. He listens, explains, and wants to make sure the patient understands what will occur. I had a hip replacement and I think he is absolutely one of the best doctors i’ve ever encountered. He is so personable and has a fine sense of humor…no orthopaedic surgeon ego! Couldn’t recommend him more highly!
Dr. Stephen Kayiaros was featured in an article in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Magazine. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. I really feel like it gave me my life back.” Read about how one woman underwent the minimally invasive hip replacement procedure with Dr Stephen Kayiaros.
To: Dr. Stephen Kayiaros and Staff,
I just want to take this opportunity to express what a positive impact this procedure has had on my quality of life. There was a great deal of anxiety on my part in deciding to proceed with a total hip replacement procedure, because of the potential risks as well as the possibility of a lengthy rehabilitation. With the support of family and friends, I took the first step and set up the initial consultation.
Meridian Healthviews Magazine Publishes Story on Anterior Hip Replacment with Dr. Kayiaros
The anterior hip approach is an advanced and minimally invasive form of hip replacement, a new procedure in which Dr. Kayiaros at the University Orthopaedic Associates specializes.
In the September/October 2013 Issue of Meridian Healthviews Magazine, Dr. Kayiaros speaks about this procedure that has helped one of his patients quickly get back to health.
The entire team is just fantastic, really trustworthy and knowledgeable. I was completely reassured after talking with Dr. Kayiaros, and would highly recommend him and UOA to everyone.
He was wonderful from the first moment we saw him. He was an unusual person in that he was honest and true and sometimes you don’t see that in surgeons. He was just a very decent person.
“I’ll take that (UOA) staff over the ER any day!” exclaims Stephen Russell, a 71-year-old from Somerset, New Jersey. That’s exactly what Russell was thinking during the painful 24-hour period after a fall that broke his hip.
Read Stephen Russell’s Story