A Solution for Joint Pain - Seton’s high-tech Joint Replacement Center gave Charlie Gardner a new hip-and a new lease on life

For more than a year after he suffered a near-fatal car accident, Charlie Gardner kept up his busy pace as a civil engineer and avid skier. As the months passed, however, the 51-year-old Montara resident found that the creeping discomfort in his right hip was worsening. “At first,” says Gardner, who speaks with the drawl of his native Tennessee, “I thought it was a hitch in my get-along, but the pain became excruciating.”

Gardner knew just where to turn: Seton Medical Center’s Joint Replacement Center, known for its state-of-the-art technology, highly experienced surgeons, and compassionate support. After consulting with Orthopedic Surgeon Michael Reyes, M.D., Gardner learned that his hip cartilage was badly worn down and that he needed a total hip replacement.

Dr. Reyes, who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery, says that patients such as Gardner – in need of new knees and hips – are growing in number. The culprit is often arthritis, in which the cartilage cushioning the bones is worn down, causing pain and stiffness. An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from arthritis, and this epidemic is projected to worsen as baby boomers age.

“Seton Medical Center has long recognized this situation,” Dr. Reyes explains, “and we have become a leader in joint replacement surgery.”

Among the many reasons patients choose Seton Medical Center for their joint replacement surgery is state-of-the-art technology. One of the most exciting innovations at Seton is recently acquired computer-navigation technology-one of the first systems of its kind in the Bay Area. The new technology enables surgeons to implant prostheses with fine-tuned precision, reducing the risk of misalignment. Seton’s orthopedic surgeons employ minimally invasive surgical techniques that require smaller incisions than does traditional joint replacement surgery. With this approach, says Dr. Reyes, there is less pain, less trauma to the body, and a much quicker recovery time.

Despite these advancements, surgery is still serious news for any patient. At Seton, however, “everyone went out of their way to assuage my fears and concerns,” says Gardner. “I was pleasantly surprised by how well everything went.” Seton’s team of compassionate professionals takes time to address all patients’ concerns and to educate them on the surgery and rehabilitation process. “Our patients’ minds are put at ease because they know what to expect,” adds Dr. Reyes.

Gardner’s hip replacement surgery was a complete success. Through a tiny six-inch incision, which is smaller than the eight to 12 inches traditionally done for hip replacements, Dr. Reyes implanted a prosthesis made of cobalt chrome, a tough metal alloy projected to last up to 25 years-significantly longer that implants used in the past.

With his hip pain gone, Gardner can’t stop raving about his positive experience at Seton. Even though he’s not back on the slopes yet, he is exercising regularly and feeling great. “I just can’t say enough about Dr. Reyes and Seton,” says Gardner. “They changed my life.”

To reach Seton’s Joint Replacement Center or to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Seton, call 650.985.7517 or visit our website at setonmedicalcenter.org.