After living with pain in his right hip for years and undergoing injections to manage his arthritis, George Bruner knew the temporary relief wouldn’t last forever.
“It eventually got to the point where a doctor told me he’d seen how repeated shots can sometimes speed up arthritis. He said I had a choice – another shot or surgery,” says George. “I said, “Let’s do the surgery.”
George had planned to do the surgery with Dr. Carlone. However, before the procedure, he and his wife took a trip to Costa Rica. When they returned home, they learned that Dr. Carlone had left his previous practice.
“I started searching and found out he was at the Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics (CSMO) in Cleveland, Tennessee,” says George. “I called right away and made an appointment because he was the one I wanted.”
The Right Choice for Care
Already having been a patient at CSMO for 10 years for other services, George knew the high quality of care he’d be receiving, but the most important factor was Dr. Carlone’s leadership. When George and his wife reunited with Dr. Carlone, they immediately knew they had made the right decision.
“My wife and I went to see him, and he came in and hugged both of us,” George recalls. “It was absolutely wonderful.”
After discussing his treatment options, George moved forward with an anterior hip replacement at CSMO. At the time, Dr. Carlone was the only surgeon in the area performing the muscle-sparing anterior approach, which allowed George to recover more quickly and return to the activities he loved.
A Faster Recovery
George arrived at CSMO at 6 a.m. on the morning of surgery. Just a few hours later, he was already back on his feet.
“They took me back for surgery, and by about 10:30 a.m., I got up and walked out,” he says.
Before heading home, George asked Dr. Carlone about the stairs leading into his house: “I looked at him and said, ‘Doctor, we have steps.’ He said, ‘Climb them.’ I said, ‘Are you serious?’ He said, ‘Yeah. I’m not putting any restrictions on you.’”
Dr. Carlone also told George that he’d be fully recovered in six weeks.
“He was a man of his word,” says George. “I had no pain, no restrictions, and I went right up and down the steps.”
Back to Living Life Without Pain
Today, George says his hip rarely crosses his mind. At 82 years old, he enjoys going to the gym, taking care of his yard, and spending time mentoring a 9-year-old boy.
“My hip has had no bearing on me,” he says. “I don’t even have to think about it.”
Looking back, George credits both Dr. Carlone’s surgical expertise and his compassionate approach to patient care for making such a lasting impact.
“I can’t say enough about him and his practice,” George finishes. “He’s a great surgeon, a real gentleman, and the kind of guy you’d like to have as a friend.”
At CSMO, our team is committed to helping patients overcome joint pain and return to the lives they love. Whether you’re considering a hip replacement or exploring treatment options for arthritis, our orthopaedic specialists provide expert care every step of the way. Call (423) 624-2696 or schedule an appointment online today.
Andrew Carlone, MD
Hip & Knee Specialist
