Tia Bryan, a 63-year-old cyclist and fitness enthusiast, recently reflected on her hip replacement journey with Dr. Waggoner. After years of managing pain and delaying surgery, Tia made the decision that changed her life. Her story is one of strength, preparation, and getting back to doing what she loves.
Tia waited three years before deciding to have her hip replaced. "I was scared," she admits. "I wish I hadn't waited so long." During those years, she tried injections to manage the pain, but eventually, they stopped working.
At her final injection appointment, Dr. Waggoner gave her a gentle nudge. "He asked if I was sure I wanted to go through with it, because after this injection, I'd need to wait six or seven months before surgery. That made me stop and think. I went ahead with it - but it didn't work. The pain got so bad, I couldn't even walk my dog up the street."
When she finally scheduled her hip replacement, Tia was determined to be as prepared as possible, especially since she lives alone. She joined a Facebook group for support, did lots of research, and got herself in the best shape she could beforehand. "I truly believe that helped my recovery. I always tell people: get as strong as you can before surgery."
She invested in a reclining lift chair that helped her rest and even do light exercises. "I slept in that chair for six weeks. It was a lifesaver." She kept two ice packs rotating at all times and reorganized her home so things were within reach. "Not bending more than 90 degrees is harder than you think! I got extra grabbers just in case I dropped one."
Her recovery was just as structured. "I did everything Dr. Waggoner and the physical therapist told me to do. I was up and walking every 20 minutes on the dot." She used a walker for about a week and a half, transitioned to a cane, and was cleared to drive in just two weeks.
Tia did her rehab at OrthoSouth's Bartlett physical therapy location, where she'd previously received care following hand surgery with Dr. Fahey. "They knew I was doing well, so they challenged me and helped me safely progress. I did twelve weeks of therapy and was religious about doing my home exercises. I really believe your hip needs movement, you can't just sit around and feel sorry for yourself. You've got to stretch and strengthen, especially those hip flexors."
Now, a year after surgery, Tia says her life is "night and day" compared to before. "The joke with Dr. Waggoner is that he's given me my life back twice." Her first major procedure with him was a lumbar fusion nearly 20 years ago.
An active 63-year-old, Tia is a longtime cyclist who used to ride with the Hightailers; she now stays strong by attending Body Works classes at Esporta Fitness in Lakeland. "It's weights, stretching, bending, abs -I swear that class saved my hip! And I still do the stretches from my recovery, a whole year later."
Tia continues to see Dr. Fahey for arthritis in her thumb, and she's thankful her other hip is still in good shape. "I love OrthoSouth and can't imagine going anywhere else," she says. "I don't know what I'd do without Dr. Waggoner. And I love Conner, too! He's done my injections, always let me squeeze his hand when I was nervous, and I even joke with him about who stitched up my hip - because there's barely a scar!"
Tia's advice to others considering joint replacement? "Don't wait. Get yourself strong and trust your care team."
We're honored to be part of Tia's journey - and so proud to see her living pain-free and active once again. If you're considering hip replacement or just looking for relief from joint pain, our team at OrthoSouth is here to help you take that next step - just like Tia did.
