Area Resident Gets Hip-Pain Relief Thanks to Innovative Procedure

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

After three years of enduring shooting pain from his hip down the outside of his leg to his ankle, Jim Langs reached his limit of trying to relieve his pain with numerous medications.

“As my medication wore off, the pain became so bad that I would drag my leg as if it were “dead” in order to cope with the pain,” said the Manhattan resident. “I was so fortunate to meet Dr. Antkowiak, who got rid of my pain by performing an innovative and minimally invasive anterior hip replacement.”

Dr. Tom Antkowiak performed the cutting-edge anterior hip replacement procedure on Jim’s hip at Silver Cross Hospital enabling him to have a quicker and less painful recovery.

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The anterior approach is an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery. During anterior hip replacement surgery, the hip joint is accessed through a smaller incision by entering through the front of the body and working between the hip. The surgeon works between the tissues without detaching them or cutting them. This leads to less tissue trauma, less pain and often a faster recovery.

The anterior surgical approach is becoming more popular as it is less invasive, hospital stays are shorter, and patients are able to return to their work or chosen activity faster with less pain.

“As a result of this less invasive technique, post-surgical mobility is greatly improved because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure,” said Dr. Antkowiak, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at Silver Cross Hospital. “Jim for example was slowly walking the day of his surgery and climbing stairs a few days later. I am grateful to Silver Cross for providing the state-of-the-art equipment that is necessary for me to offer this innovative procedure to Jim and all my patients.

Advice to Others

“My advice to anyone with hip pain is simple – don’t waste another minute suffering - get help,” said Langs. “Not only am I thankful to have such an accomplished, down-to-earth, surgeon as Dr. Antkowiak perform my surgery, I am so happy to have received such an advanced procedure at Silver Cross, which is close to my home. In addition, the nurses and therapists at Silver Cross gave me endless encouragement. They showed me alternative ways to move, while also cautioning me not to overdo things or push too hard until I was more fully healed.”

Symptoms of Hip Pain

Depending on the source that’s causing hip pain, you might feel discomfort in the following areas: groin, buttocks, thigh, outside of the hip joint, or the back.

Get medical attention right away if:

• The hip pain came on suddenly.
• A fall or other injury triggered the hip pain.
• Your hip looks deformed or is bleeding.
• You experienced a painful popping in the hip.
• The pain is intense.
• You can’t put any weight on your hip.

Free Lecture

Join Dr. Tom Antkowiak and Dr. Rajeev Puri, orthopedic surgeons, to learn the latest treatment plans for hip pain and degenerative hip conditions including hip arthroscopy and total anterior hip replacement on Thursday, May 21. This free program will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

About Dr. Tom Antkowiak

Tom Antkowiak, M.D., is board eligible in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Antkowiak attended medical school at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA; and a sports orthopedic surgery fellowship at Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys, CA. Dr. Antkowiak’s office is located with Oak Orthopedics at 19552 S. Harlem Ave in Frankfort. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 469-3452.

About Dr. Rajeev Puri

Rajeev Puri, M.D., is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Puri attended medical school at Ohio State University. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH; and a foot and ankle reconstruction fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Puri’s office is located with Oak Orthopedics at 19552 S. Harlem Ave, Frankfort. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 469-3452.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 296-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2014, Silver Cross provided over $46 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.