Joint Replacement Helps Couple Resume Active Lifestyle

Osteoarthritis debilitates more than 20 million people. But more and more of those inflicted with the disease are taking back their lifestyles with the help of joint replacement surgery. Just ask Bruce W. Kauffman, a federal judge in Philadelphia who received a new hip last December. “It’s slightly miraculous,” Kauffman says of the procedure.

For years, Kauffman and his wife, Carol, both suffered from osteoarthritis that they attribute to an active lifestyle and wear and tear on their joints. Osteoarthritis causes stiffness and bone-on-bone pain. The pain in Bruce’s hip and in both of Carol’s knees made even walking a burdensome chore, affecting their ability to do the things they love. “Last year, I couldn’t walk on the boardwalk, and I sold my boat because I couldn’t get on and off without pain,” says Bruce.

The couple received conservative, nonsurgical treatment to control the pain. When it became unbearable, they turned to Dr. William Hozack at the Rothman Institute. During total hip replacement surgery, Dr. Hozack replaced Bruce’s arthritic hip joint with a new titanium implant. Five months later, Carol underwent bilateral knee replacement surgery.

Today, both are enjoying a more pain-free and active lifestyle. They speak enthusiastically about the importance of having undergone joint replacement surgery.

“We have four grandchildren we chase around and neither of us wanted to give that up,” Carol says. Bruce is now comfortably walking the boardwalk again. And this fall they will travel to China for two and a half weeks, a trip that would not have been possible a year ago.

Understandably, the Kauffmans had reservations about undergoing surgery. But they credit Dr. Hozack, his nurse Kathy Rees, and all medical staff who cared for them for providing a warm and reassuring experience.

Adds Carol: “I just took one of my best friends to see Dr. Hozack; you don’t refer a friend or relative unless you absolutely believe in him.”