Franco Castillo Gets a Move on After Hip Surgery

Franco Castillo has always been active, both on the job and off. So, when the 49-year-old law enforcement officer began to experience hip pain a few years ago, he tried multiple remedies, including physical therapy, but was unable to get relief. “It was about a six-year period where I was just feeling more and more pain,” he says.

“Last year when I was doing a training exercise, I experienced the worst pain I’ve ever been in; I could barely complete the training.” That’s when Castillo sought treatment from Anton Kurdin, MD, the Yuba-Sutter region’s only orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in hip and knee replacement surgery.

Taking a direct approach

“Franco had a condition known as hip impingement that caused him to develop arthritis at an early age,” Dr. Kurdin explains. This condition happens when the ball joint of the hip is abnormally shaped, causing the bones to painfully rub together. Dr. Kurdin recommended a direct anterior hip replacement for Castillo. In this procedure, the surgeon accesses the hip joint from the front rather than the side or back of the hip. This method is minimally invasive, meaning surgeons don’t have to cut through major muscles. As a result, recovery time is usually shorter and less painful than with a traditional hip replacement. “Because of his young age and physically demanding profession, it’s a great approach,” Dr. Kurdin says. “It’s less invasive and muscle-sparing, so there’s typically a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery overall and a low risk for
mobility problems.”

Dr. Kurdin credits improvements in artificial hip joint technology over the past 20 years with making replacement a more viable option for younger patients like Castillo. “The joints are very resilient now and less likely to wear down over time, which can make replacement a better option for younger and active patients than it once was,” he says.

Back in action

Castillo chose to move forward with the surgery, which took place in March 2022. Afterward, he did several months of physical therapy to improve his mobility. Just three months after surgery, Castillo was back at work, on normal duty again and pain-free. He has also seen the benefits of his hip replacement in other areas of his life. “I’m back to hiking and mountain biking again,” he says. “I’m also sleeping more comfortably, and since I’m getting more rest, my stress levels have gone down. “The technology has really advanced throughout the years, and I didn’t want to be walking with a cane,” he says. “Once I really discussed the operation with Dr. Kurdin, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, and I’m glad I did it and didn’t wait around.”