A unique combination of personal attention and advanced surgical techniques

We offer patients a unique combination of personal attention in a private practice setting combined with the most advanced surgical techniques that are not even available in many university centers. As leaders in new technology, we have a research-based practice with the goal of constantly advancing treatments. If you are a person that is interested in conservative treatments that have a long track record, this is not the right place for you. Patients who wish to take advantage of the latest treatments must also be somewhat more risk-tolerant because sometimes there are unforeseen consequences of new technology. We do not train residents or fellows here, so you are certain to have your operation performed by Dr. Gross personally.

Extensive education to keep our patients well informed

We think it is important that our patients are well informed, therefore, we offer extensive education on this website as well as in our office and in the hospital. Our staff prides itself in providing personalized attention that is lacking in many medical encounters today. In order to make the entire experience of joint surgery as pleasant as possible, we have developed a comprehensive blood management technique, a multimodal pain management program, as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques. Using all of these methods in combination allows us to almost completely avoid transfusions, get patients walking immediately after surgery, and control pain well enough to allow most patients to have joint replacement surgery as an outpatient procedure. You will be sent home (local patients) or stay in a hotel for 1-2 nights before traveling home (out-of-area patients). Those who still require hospital admission usually stay only one night.

The postoperative recovery protocol varies depending on several patient-specific factors. The most important is bone density. If the DEXA scan done preoperatively indicates good bone density the “fast” protocol is followed. Patients stay mostly at home with light activities for 3-5 days until narcotics are no longer required. They are then allowed to drive. At that time we also start a slowly progressive walking program with crutches for 1-2 weeks, then a cane for 1-2 weeks. At 1-2 weeks people typically return to desk work (sedentary), by 6 weeks most people walk one mile at a time and can resume work that requires moderate walking. Impact activities (running, jumping), heavy lifting ( >50lbs), extreme bending (deep squats), or fall risk activities (ladders, bikes) are to be avoided until 90% of healing has occurred by 6 months postop. Therefore, heavy physical work and sports can be resumed at 6 months.

Many patients believe that they heal faster or better than the “average” and try to resume activities faster than I recommend. This sometimes leads to a suboptimal result. I strongly recommend limited activity as detailed above for 6 months. After that full unrestricted activity can be resumed with HRA. By 1 year the hip should not result in any limitations except occasionally distance running.

In general, HRA patients are able to resume all desired activities including unlimited sports. However, not all patients are able to satisfactorily resume distance running. Many patients are able to perform triathlons and marathons and even ultramarathons normally, but some do require a modified return.

The success of our model is proven by the fact that nearly 70% of our patients are willing to travel from other states and occasionally even from other countries to be treated here. Within days from their surgery, they are traveling back across the country to their homes. Half of the remaining in-state patients come from locations outside the Columbia metro area. Most famous university centers cannot make this claim. The access to information via the Internet has allowed this to occur. Patients are now empowered to inform themselves independently of their local doctors and they increasingly question the standard treatment options that may not suit their needs and desires. This is why we make extensive information available on this website. But don’t take it from us. Numerous independent reports (that we are unable to screen) can be found online on such sites as Surface Hippy attesting to our patient's satisfaction.

The surgeon you choose drives the quality of the result

The surgeon you choose is the most important factor that determines the chance of success. The type or brand of implant, the hospital used and various other factors are important, but of much less consequence. But these choices are all driven by the surgeon you choose. For example, I have never used the recalled DePuy ASR or Zimmer Durom implants. Insist on seeing written published data for an individual surgeon, not just vague statements of chances of success. At a teaching center, it is also important to ask who will be doing the operation.

If you wish to be evaluated for surgery, this can be accomplished by submitting information to us online and by mail. When we receive this information, Dr. Gross will call you to discuss your case. We can make all pre-op arrangements remotely. You can then travel here, and meet our staff and Dr. Gross a day prior to your surgical procedure. Most patients are able to travel home within a few days.