Total hip replacement helps patient continue active lifestyle, live pain free

Being active is just part of Tom Hammerquist’s everyday routine as full-time banker and co-owner of all Dimensions Fitness Center with his wife, Barb. An avid cyclist, he doesn’t like to let anything slow him down.

Tom thought that his right hip was possibly deteriorating because of some chronic hip pain and information from an MRI on his lower back from a few years ago. He knew he needed to find a good orthopedic surgeon to address the problem. Having had surgery out of town in the past, Tom knew that he wanted to find a good local doctor and simplify the process.

“I did a little bit of inquiring around about who would be the right person for the job,” Tom said.

Through some friends, Tom heard good reviews about Dr. Stanford Israelsen, an orthopedic surgeon at Wyoming Orthopedics and Spine (WYOS), a Campbell County Medical Group clinic.

“I felt very confident I was in good hands,” Tom said. “It was nice to know he was a sports-minded individual.”

In November 2017, Tom had a total hip replacement and started the recovery process, which included physical therapy and a slow return to his exercise routine. Today, Tom says he’s pain-free and as active as ever, including several competitive finishes in regional bike races.

Being in good physical shape prior to surgery is something that Dr. Israelsen said helped to move Tom’s recovery along quickly.

“Tom has done exceptionally well,” Dr. Israelsen said. “What helped him was coming into surgery in such good shape. He’s faster than me on a bike, so I’d say recovery is going well.”

Deciding to have surgery is never an easy process, but Tom says he’s more than pleased with his outcome and Dr. Israelsen’s abilities, as well as his kindness toward his patients.

“I was really impressed with how personable he was,” Tom said. “I was just really impressed with his bedside manner and his friendliness.”

And Tom is quick to share with others how great it is that there’s such a quality surgeon like Dr. Israelsen in Gillette, Wyoming, making it easy and convenient to have surgery right there in the community instead of traveling elsewhere.

“We’ve got as good a surgeon here as anywhere,” Tom said. “It’s nice to know if I had any problems after surgery I could get help immediately from the people who worked on me.”

Expert Orthopedic & Spine Care In Gillette, Wyoming

Dr. Stanford Israelsen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Wyoming Orthopedics and Spine. The physicians at WYOS take an innovative and comprehensive approach to the treatment of acute and chronic orthopedic pain. Have your surgery in our modern operating rooms at Campbell County Memorial Hospital or Powder River Surgery Center.

For a consultation, call 307.686.1413 or visit www.wyomingorthospine.com.

Article written by Kim Phagan-Hansel, Wyoming freelance writer