Miracle Workers, Weight Loss Key to Hip Replacement Success

What happens when one hip pain-wracked patient with some weight to lose prior to replacement surgery puts himself in the passionate and compassionate hands of two Beaufort Memorial doctors?

“Nothing short of a miracle,” according to Dennis Radnoff.

Living With Pain

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, the 72-year-old spent most of his life in the grocery business, starting as a stock boy and working his way up through the ranks to a position in management with Food Lion, which is how Dennis found himself in Beaufort in 1991. The bulk of that work, even in management, was done on his feet or on his knees.

“In the grocery business, no matter where you are on the totem pole, you do what needs to be done,” Dennis explains. “It’s a physical job, and you work all the time.”

A broken knee took Dennis to see Dr. Kevin Jones 20 years ago, and 10 years later, suffering from massive hip pain, Dennis returned to the orthopedic surgeon who successfully treated his knee.

“I waited way too long with the hip,” Dennis recalls. “By the time I went to see Dr. Jones, it was very, very bad. It hurt all the time — sitting down, laying down, standing up, it was always hurting. Still, I kept putting it off. But when my wife got tired of me complaining and finally demanded I do something about it, I was ready.”

Next Steps Toward Relief

Dr. Jones, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists who sees patients in Port Royal and Okatie, agreed that Dennis needed total hip arthroplasty, but first, he needed to reduce his body mass index (BMI) for surgery.

In other words, he needed to lose weight. “I’d been heavy all my life,” Dennis says. “I was never into dieting or anything like that, but this time I had to get into it. I had to lose the weight. I had no choice. Doctor’s orders.”

Dr. Jones explains that patient obesity increases the risk of infection and complications. It also can result in a more technically difficult procedure.

“It’s not just about extra pressure on the joints, although this is certainly a problem,” Dr. Jones says. “Soft tissue healing and wound problems will slow recovery and sometimes necessitate a return to the operating room. We don’t want that to happen. We want the best outcomes for all of our surgery patients.”

Read More: Want to Avoid a Hip Replacement? Follow These Tips for Healthy Hips

Overcoming Obstacles

Dr. Jones referred Dennis to Dr. Yvette-Marie Pellegrino of Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine for help in reducing Dennis’ BMI. Board certified in family medicine and obesity medicine, Dr. Pellegrino oversees the Beaufort Memorial Healthy Weight program.

“Dr. Pellegrino is an expert at treating complicated medical problems and has unique expertise in nutrition and weight loss,” Dr. Jones says. “With her help and guidance, we have been able to accomplish safe and effective weight loss in our patients, resulting in decreased surgical risk.”

The good news is that, with Dr. Pellegrino’s help, Dennis reduced his BMI from 45 to 35. The even better news is that, as part of his successful weight-loss journey, Dr. Pellegrino discovered and treated medical issues related to Dennis’ overall health, including significant dietary changes, high blood pressure and a vitamin B12 deficiency.

“When we get a referral from a surgeon, we explore what the patient’s obstacles are, and then we tackle each of them one at a time,” Dr. Pellegrino explains. “It’s not just about the weight or the surgery, but helping them to improve their overall lifestyle.”

Read More: Operating Room to Living Room in One Day or Less

A New Start

It took Dennis a year to lose the recommended amount of weight and more. In fact, he lost almost 100 pounds — mainly through a strict regimen of calorie counting. It then took him almost another year to return to Dr. Jones for surgery in September 2023.

“I don’t know why I waited,” he repeats.

Dr. Jones has an explanation for Dennis’ reluctance.

“Naturally, people would like to avoid surgery when possible. I can understand that. My philosophy is to try non-operative conservative measures initially. When conservative treatment is no longer effective, joint replacement is, indeed, an effective procedure that routinely gives relief from pain and restores function.”

Dr. Jones adds that advancements with robotics have been a “game changer” in joint replacement surgery.

“We can now balance the joints with precision and do the procedure with less trauma to soft tissues. The result is a quicker recovery and less pain,” Dr. Jones says.

“I have zero pain. Absolutely none. The robotic surgery is amazing,” Dennis says. “I was up and walking down the hallway of the hospital within hours with no pain. If I had known it was possible, I would have done it years ago. Dr. Jones is something all right. He’s a miracle worker.”

Read More: Lowcountry Couple’s Joint Adventure

A Mutual Respect

Dr. Jones is quick to return the compliment.

“Mr. Radnoff always remained positive,” Dr. Jones says, crediting the total joint replacement program at Beaufort Memorial. “He was very diligent with his nutrition and weight-loss program while he was suffering with severe pain. I always say that a positive attitude results in a positive outcome. We have dedicated and professional people in all phases of the program, including the outpatient office, operating room and hospital floor. It really does take a team to accomplish great outcomes.”

There’s no doubt that Dennis’ hip replacement outcome has been a great one. The former branch manager for Cregger Company in Bluffton is now working in sales for the same company with no plans for retirement.

“I don’t want to quit working. I like to stay busy. But I like my weekends now. There’s so much I can do now. I’m a hobby guy. And a big reader. I like to stay mentally busy, too.”

Today, thanks to Dr. Jones and Dr. Pellegrino, Dennis Radnoff is most definitely a happy man on the pain-free move.

To learn more about joint replacement at Beaufort Memorial, register for an upcoming Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar or discuss your options with an orthopedic specialist.