Texas Health Flower Mound

Specializing in the Diagnosis, Education, Care and Treatment of Joint Pain

Patients who undergo a joint replacement know all too well that joints play a pivotal role in their every move. What may seem like the simplest task, such as getting out of bed or walking to the mailbox, could turn into excruciating pain.

Steven Thomas experienced that firsthand.

“I was in so much pain last December, limping everywhere,” Thomas said. “It was hard to go on long walks and even ride my bike.”

Millions of adults suffer from joint pain. Patients often feel discomfort, aches or soreness in the hips and/or knees. Some of the most common causes of joint pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, a sprain or a strain.

Thomas sought help from J. David Evanich, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound.

“When I had my first knee replacement surgery, on my left knee, it was during COVID. I didn’t know what to expect,” Thomas said.

Treatment options for joint pain vary depending on the patient’s diagnosis, Evanich said. Patients often use over-the-counter pain relievers like anti-inflammatory drugs, supplements, oral steroids or nonpharmacologic treatments to manage symptoms, including exercise, physical therapy, splints, or braces and acupuncture.

Thomas decided on surgery and said he felt more confident about the procedure after discussing his treatment options with his doctor and Deana Carter, the total joint coordinator at Texas Health Flower Mound.

“I was so grateful for Deana, who visited me in the hospital multiple times, checked in on me and answered all my questions,” Thomas said.

After surgery, physical therapy helped him gain a full range of motion in his left knee. Meanwhile, the pain in his right knee never let up. He discussed his options again with Evanich and decided surgery was inevitable. This time, he took an informative class that’s offered at the hospital.

“Deana’s presentation was so sincere,” he said. “I didn’t feel stressed going into surgery because I truly knew what to expect.”

“Patients often feel more motivated after taking the class,” Carter said.

Patients now are required to attend one hip or knee replacement class where they learn more about the procedure, hospital stay, and recovery. Some could say it’s a game changer.

“I had severe pain, but my original surgery date was scheduled two months later,” Thomas said. “I reached out to Deana, and she said, ‘Let me help’ and moved up my surgery to the next month. It was fantastic.”

Carol Marczuk also attended the class before hip replacement surgery.

“I knew exactly what was happening, when it was happening, because of the joint class,” Marczuk said.

Marczuk’s knee and hip had been bothering her for a while. It took a toll on her daily routine and her favorite exercise.

“My husband and I try to stay active,” Marczuk said. “When I was doing yoga, my right knee wouldn’t go down or bend the way I wanted it to.”

James Heerwagen, MD, another orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health Flower Mound, examined the joints above and below her knee.

Marczuk tried steroid injections, a common treatment that can help with pain and inflammation, but “it didn’t help much.”

“An X-ray revealed arthritis on her right hip was worse than the knee,” Heerwagen said.

Marczuk decided to schedule a hip replacement surgery at Texas Health Flower Mound.

More North Texans rely on Texas Health for their joint care than any other health system. At Texas Health, orthopedic surgeons and doctors on the medical staff who are trained in hip and knee replacement, specialize in the diagnosis, education, care and treatment of individuals suffering from joint pain. They work with each patient to develop personalized orthopedic care plans for pain relief and improved mobility. 

“You stay one night in the hospital, and they set up your physical therapy and outpatient therapy,” Marczuk said. “I liked not having to miss a call or play telephone tag in order to schedule an appointment.”

Only a few weeks after her hip procedure, Marczuk scheduled a knee replacement surgery with Heerwagen for later this year. She hopes to recover in time for a big trip that she postponed.

“My husband and I enjoy cruises a lot. We had to cancel a few trips because of my knee and hip problems,” Marczuk said. “We look forward to staying busy and getting back to our normal life.”

Mary Betzhold, a former high school teacher, dreamed of a normal school day without hip pain.

“I had excruciating pain just walking from my desk to the front of my classroom,” Betzhold said. “It was noticeable, even to my students.”

At first, Betzhold thought it was a hip flexor strain, which occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn.

“I kept stretching my right side and resting my body for a few weeks, but nothing improved,” she said.

“Mary had exhausted nonsurgical treatment options such as medications and physical therapy,” said David Neal, MD, another orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health Flower Mound. “She chose to proceed with total hip replacement to help improve her pain, function, and quality of life.”

“At one point I could barely walk into the school building. I called the doctor’s office to see if I could move up my surgery,” Betzhold said.

The timing worked out perfectly. Betzhold was able to have surgery and recover from her hip replacement within a few weeks and return to class after Christmas break.

“I’m so grateful to exercise and enjoy summer without any pain,” she added.

Texas Health Flower Mound is a 99-bed facility that offers 24/7 emergency services and outpatient surgery with more than 500 physicians on the medical staff who practice a full range of specialties. To learn more about joint replacement or find a specialist, visit TexasHealth.org/FMJointCare

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound is a joint venture involving Texas Health Resources and physicians dedicated to the community and meets the definition under federal law of a physician-owned hospital. Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. © 2024 Texas Health Resources