After a successful hip replacement procedure at Rancho Springs Medical Center, high school teacher and pilot Steve Sparkman is back in the cockpit -- and pain-free.

At 47 years old, high school teacher Steve Sparkman knew he was relatively young to be considering a hip replacement. But after living with pain in his left hip since his mid-30s and taking anti-inflammatory medications every day for 10 years, he decided he needed a more permanent solution.

"The medications were no longer effective, and the pain was starting to keep me up at night and affect my walking," he recalls. "So I started looking around for a surgeon."

Surgical Success
His search led him to an orthopedic surgeon at Southwest Healthcare System (SWHCS). "The surgeon gave me a good idea of what to expect, and I was happy to have the surgery at Rancho Springs Medical Center. It's just a few miles from my home," he says.

The procedure, which replaced the ball-and-socket hip joint with a metal implant, went well. Mr. Sparkman was back home four days after surgery. After six weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, he was walking normally -- without pain.

That was five years ago. Today, Mr. Sparkman enjoys everything from jogging to coaching basketball to piloting small planes.

"I don't even think about my hip anymore," he says. "Before, every time I planned some kind of activity -- even just a long walk -- I'd have to take extra painkillers with me. Now I don't take any."

Full Range of Services
"Mr. Sparkman is one of many patients who have experienced great results after having orthopedic surgery at SWHCS," says Associate Administrator Neerav Jadeja. "We offer not only joint replacement, but a full range of orthopedic surgical services."

The orthopedic surgeons at SWHCS specialize in the following areas:

• Hip and knee surgery, including procedures for arthritis and joint replacement
• Hand and shoulder surgery to treat congenital deformities, rotator cuff problems and carpal tunnel syndrome
• Foot and ankle surgery, including treatment for bunions, hammertoes and diabetes-related foot disorders
• Emergency treatment for fractures, dislocations and other traumatic orthopedic injuries

Think You Need a New Joint?
To learn more about orthopedics and joint replacement at Southwest Healthcare System, please visit www.swhcs.com. In the left column, click on Hospital Services, then on Orthopedics.

Inland Valley Medical Center 36485 Inland Valley Drive, Wildomar, CA 92595 (951) 677-1111 Rancho Springs Medical Center 25500 Medical Center Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 (951) 696-6000