Deveney Success Story

The condition: Jeanne Burns, an athletic and active woman in her early 40’s, began having pain in her hips which grew worse over a year’s time. She had to give up running marathons, and as the pain worsened, had to eliminate skiing in the winter, as well as other favorite athletic pursuits throughout the year. Since Jeanne’s mother had undergone double hip replacement in recent years, she knew her condition was probably hereditary. She made an appointment with Dr. Robert Deveney, a specialist in total hip replacement surgery, who had successfully treated her mother. Dr. Deveney had used the Mako robotic-assisted surgical technique for Jeanne’s mother’s surgery and was able to eliminate her hip pain, so Jeanne was eager to inquire if this procedure would be recommended for her own condition.   The treatment: Upon examination and x-ray, Dr. Deveney determined that Jeanne had developmental dysplasia of the hips, a condition one is born with that impacts the architecture of the hips. Most people aren’t aware they have it until they begin developing pain in their 40’s. In addition to the pain, hip dysplasia is associated with a high risk of developing arthritis as one ages. Dr. Deveney recommended a similar robotic-assisted procedure for Jeanne to address her hip pain, and scheduled her two hip replacement surgeries six weeks apart. “Jeanne was a great candidate for the Mako robotic-assisted surgery technique. Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to design and plan joint replacement surgery in a way never done before.” Dr. Deveney explains. A pre-operative CT scan provides a 3-D image of the joint, enabling the surgeon to determine the exact size and position of the replacement optimal for the patient. During surgery, the technology provides immediate feedback so each component can be positioned with greater accuracy, using computer-aided precision. According to Jeanne,

The condition: Ray Shail had been suffering with knee pain for over 20 years. The 68-year-old had a congenital deformity that caused him to be significantly bowlegged for much of his life, and as he aged, his knees became extremely painful and severely arthritic. He walked hunched over due to the pain, which also started affecting his hips and back as well. Still, Ray was anxious about having a knee replacement and fearful of hospitals. However, when an accident resulted in a broken kneecap, he was seen at the office of Dr. Robert Deveney, a specialist in hip and knee replacement surgery. The treatment: After an exam and x-rays, Dr. Deveney informed Ray that he would be able to not only replace his knees, thus alleviating his intense pain, but was also able to straighten his legs. This could be achieved, he explained, using the latest robotic-assisted technology in surgery that has proven to be very successful. When Ray learned about the new technology, and had the option of having the surgery as an out-patient at OrthoConnecticut’s surgical center near home in Danbury, with no hospital stay required, he decided to go ahead with a staged bilateral knee replacement. Since the leg with the broken kneecap needed some time to heal, Ray’s other knee was operated on first. “The first two weeks weren’t easy,” Ray admits. He was impressed, though, by the fact that a visiting nurse and a physical therapist made home visits starting the day of his surgery. After two weeks Ray started physical therapy at the offices of Motion, located in the same building at OrthoConnecticut, which was very convenient. On the day of surgery he became mobile with his new knee, and was astonished at how straight his leg was compared to the yet-to-be-operated on leg. And the

The condition: Mary began having trouble walking in her early 50’s.  The difficulty continued to progress, and in time her hips began hurting too.  A series of tests and doctors determined that she had a neuromuscular disease that was also complicated by severely arthritic hips.  She felt she was too young for hip replacement surgery, but after she became wheelchair bound and was unable to care for herself or her family, she decided to reconsider. The treatment: Mary met with Total Joint Specialist, Dr. Robert Deveney, who explained that hip replacement would ease her hip pain but he could not guarantee full mobility because of the neuromuscular disease.  “When there are other underlying medical conditions, surgeons are often reluctant to operate,” Dr. Deveney explains. “However, given the advanced surgical techniques and implants we now use, we have broadened our ability to help patients with a wider range of issues, and I was confident that the surgery would improve Mary’s quality of life and reduce her level of pain.” Although she was scared of having surgery, Mary decided to proceed with Dr. Deveney to replace one hip, since she felt things couldn’t possibly get any worse.  Twenty-four hours after her first hip replacement surgery, she felt no pain in her hip for the first time in years. “It was like a miracle,” she exclaimed.  After three months of home care and physical therapy, Mary gained some mobility, and decided to proceed with having the other hip replaced.  Three months following her second hip replacement, Mary began to use a walker and had independence for the first time in three years.  She was pain free for the first time in years. The result: In the year since her second completed hip replacement, Mary feels like she has been given her life back.