Local outdoorsman returns to active life after hip surgery at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists

Mark Zalas shows off his catch on a fishing excursion.

Just over two years ago, Mark Zalas had just finished riding his tractor when he swung his right leg over the seat and felt a tearing sensation in his hip. With a local sporting goods store as the family business, Mark is familiar with athletic injuries and initially dismissed the problem as something minor with his hip flexor.

“No big deal,” Mark thought, confident he would bounce back as he had from similar injuries before.

However, the pain persisted. While Mark didn’t worry much about the discomfort, he mentioned it to his doctor during his next routine visit. His doctor told him that a hip flexor tear would likely take nine to 12 months to heal.

Fast forward a year, and Mark’s discomfort in his hip still hadn’t improved. Now, he was walking with a limp, and when he would lay down, he could only fall asleep for a couple of hours.

“It was rough,” Mark recalled. “Something was wrong.”

Subsequent X-rays revealed the true extent of Mark’s condition: arthritis, virtually no cartilage and two bone spurs in his right hip. His doctor recommended orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregg Ebersole at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists.

Dr. Gregg Ebersole, orthopedic surgeon, Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists

Dr. Ebersole’s patient-centered approach impressed Mark. “He was phenomenal,” Mark said. “He asked me, ‘What do you want to be able to do?’ I said, ‘I want to golf, hunt and fish.’”

To achieve these goals, Mark needed a hip replacement. At 54, he had concerns about how long it would last, but Dr. Ebersole addressed these worries, explaining that even if a revision was necessary in 20 or 30 years, the second surgery would be easier than the first.

Faced with the alternative of living with pain for years, Mark decided to move forward with surgery. “I want to enjoy life,” Mark said, and he scheduled the procedure for July 29, just a few weeks after his consultation with Dr. Ebersole.

Despite pre-surgery jitters, the operation went smoothly. “The anesthesiologist said he’d give me oxygen, and the next thing I knew I was waking up,” Mark said. He was back home by noon the same day, comfortably watching the Olympics from the comfort of his easy chair.

Mark’s recovery progressed rapidly.

Mark followed recovery recommendations and quickly transitioned from walker to cane. “I took my cane with me to my follow-up appointment, but I carried it under my arm,” Mark said.

Looking back, Mark has no regrets for opting for early intervention and the hip replacement. He feels great. He can sleep uninterrupted again, and he’s looking forward to his first hunting trip in November.

“I’m happy. I’m a happy camper,” he said.

Mark’s successful recovery and renewed excitement for getting back to what he loves to do exemplify the positive outcomes that can result from timely medical intervention and patient-centered care.

“Although Mark was below the average age for hip replacement, his quality of life and ability to perform activities he loved had been greatly compromised,” Dr. Ebersole said. “There are many factors to discuss with your surgeon, but I believe in those situations it is very reasonable to consider arthroplasty to regain those quality-of-life years.”

Why choose Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists?

When your daily life and routines have changed because of bone, joint, muscle or tendon pain, it’s time to see the experts. Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists help you get back to doing what you love – whether that’s playing on the field, running on the weekend or heading out on a camping or fishing expedition like Mark Zalas. Learn more here.