Larry Saccoia (pronounced like the tree), a 50-year-old college computer instructor from Chesapeake, Va., was surprised and concerned when his a doctor diagnosed him with arthritis in his right hip three years ago and said a total hip replacement was in his future.  A former professional Kung Fu fighter with an active lifestyle, Saccoia was desperate to find an alternative treatment that would keep him from what he considered a sedentary future, and he began researching options on the Internet.

That search led him to Dr. Anthony Carter, of Hampton Roads Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, who performed a new hip resurfacing procedure that Saccoia credits with ensuring his quick and complete recovery. Called direct anterior approach hip resurfacing, the new procedure offers numerous benefits over the to a traditional total hip replacement or other procedures performed using a posterior approach.

In his Internet research, Saccoia saw reports about the direct anterior approach resurfacing and he went in search of a physician in the area who offered that option. He had almost given up hope when he met with Dr. Carter, who was known for performing Hampton Road’s first tissue sparing another minimally invasive approach to hip replacement procedure.

Patient Quickly Recovering from Region’s First Direct Anterior Approach
Hip Resurfacing Procedure, Performed at Mary Immaculate Hospital in January

Dr. Carter told Saccoia that he had experience with the hip resurfacing from a posterior approach, which still had considerable recovery time involved, but that he was working with some new instrumentation that would allow the surgery from a directan anterior approach.

 “I was totally comfortable with Dr. Carter,” said Saccoia, who admits that helped allay any nervousness about being the renowned physician’s first patient for the procedure. “The funny thing is I go by my gut instinct and when I met Dr. Carter he just completely put me at ease with the way he explained things and the way he presented himself.  It let me know that he lived up to the reputation that he has for performing joint replacement surgeries.”

The 90-minute surgery was performed January 8, and that night Saccoia surprised everyone when he actually got out of bed and walked around the room without assistance. Despite the doctor and physical therapists cautioning him to slow down a bit, Saccoia knew he was on the path to a smooth and quick recovery and was discharged from the hospital the next day.

“It was a combination of things that made my recovery such a success,” Saccoia said. “A large part was the skill of Dr. Carter, and my physical condition was a help too. Also, when I went to visit Mary Immaculate Hospital that put me at ease because that is an ultra-clean hospital and there was a beautiful carving of the Virgin Mary and that kind of relaxes you, but even the nurses and entire staff were wonderful and took good care of me.”

Saccoia teaches Network Security at ECPI College of Technology in Virginia Beach and he plans to return to work next week, less than one month after the surgery was performed at Mary Immaculate Hospital’s Surgical Pavilion. “I attribute my physical training to my fast recovery, and in fact I rode my bike four miles yesterday,” Saccoia said.

###

About  Hampton Roads Orthopedics and Sports Medicine:

Originally founded by one of the areas first orthopaedic surgeons, Hampton Roads Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine provides the best of orthopaedic care to area families including: sports medicine, shoulder and knee speciality care, joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery and fracture care.  For more information on Hampton Roads Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Dr.  Anthony Carter, log on to: http://www.hrosm.com/drcarterbio.htm or call 757-873-1554.

About Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System

Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System is a leading health care organization known for providing care for the whole person with grace and clinical distinction. Bon Secours brings together a network of hospitals, primary care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities to provide quality health care services to the residents of Hampton Roads. Bon Secours, which employs more than 4,100, includes: Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, Bon Secours Health Center at Virginia Beach, Bon Secours Maryview Nursing Care Center and St. Francis Nursing Center.  

According to a study released by HealthGrades, which identifies Mary Immaculate Hospital as being ranked among the top 10% in the nation for orthopedic surgery and first in Hampton Roads, indicates that the quality of hospital-based care in America is improving, but the gap between top-performing and poor-performing hospitals persists.  Mary Immaculate also received a five-star rating for joint replacement surgery, total knee replacement and hip fracture repair.  HealthGrades is the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company.