Christine Bartholomew

Hip replacement recipient


“I think my adrenaline was going so much and I was just so excited about potential improvement in my hip pain and after, you know, I got there and got ready for surgery I was just, I was relieved.”

Christine Bartholomew was out running one day when she noticed she had a problem. She was trying to lose some weight after having her youngest child, Alex. It had been over 8 years since the birth and she hadn’t lost weight. “So I started running, very high impact aerobic activity. And I developed a little pain in my right hip. So, I thought, well, I have to back off.”

Backing off didn’t work. Christine is a nurse and is on her feet for up to 12 hours a day. She went to a doctor, had an X-ray and was diagnosed with arthritis. At the time she was just 38 years old.

When the patients started feeling sorry for her, Christine knew it was time to do something. Her doctor’s assistant gave her a DVD about the Stryker technology and she discussed the benefits and risks of surgery with her doctor.

“We took the DVD home and I looked up some information on the website, thought more about the pros and cons and went back and said yep, that’s what I want.”

The day of her surgery Christine was excited. She was looking forward to what she hoped would be a life with less pain. “I think my adrenaline was going so much and I was just so excited about potential improvement in my hip pain and after, you know, I got there and got ready for surgery I was just, I was relieved. It was once I got in the hospital and was getting prepped I was just relieved.”

Her best memory was immediately after the surgery. “It was wonderful waking up.” Her loving husband Tim was waiting for her. Tim soon noticed a physical change. A wrinkle of worry that had creased her face was gone for good. “And that wrinkle was gone. She said there was pain from the incision but but she could already feel improvement in her hip.”


All surgery carries risk. See your orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your potential benefits and risks. Not all patients will have the same post-operative recovery and activity level. Individual results vary.


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Important information

U.S. Modular Hip Settlement Program

Stryker's Voluntary Recall of Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems


Hip Replacements

Hip joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, fracture of the neck of the femur or functional deformity of the hip.

Joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the joint, or excessive body weight.

Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, change in the treated leg length (hip), joint stiffness, hip joint fusion, amputation, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.

Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, and reaction to particle debris. Hip implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.

Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mako, Mobile Bearing Hip, Stryker, Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.


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