Dr. Richard Berger - Ortho (Getting back out on the Links)

Eminent Orthopedic Surgeon Reveals Secrets to Getting Back to Golf and Improving Handicaps After Joint ReplacementRecent surveys of golfers found that it can take an average of up to 4.73 months to get back on the course after hip replacement and up to 5.1 months for knee replacement. This stands in stark contrast to patients who undergo hip and knee replacement with Richard Berger, M.D., a renowned joint replacement surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Rush Medical Center, Chicago who has treated several professional and amateur golfers. When Dr. Berger’s hip replacement patients ask when they can return to an 18-hole game, they are surprised to hear, “four to six weeks.”While golfers aren’t pounding the pavement like runners, years of stress on the lower extremities means joints can take a beating. However, if someone is fortunate enough to have Dr. Berger for joint replacement, they can safely—and rapidly—get back to the joy of golfing. Why? Because he uses a minimally invasive hip replacement procedure that eliminates the need to cut muscle, ligaments, or tendons. The result is a vastly shortened recovery period with less pain.And that’s not the only reason for the quick recovery.  Patients of Dr. Berger say his medical team receive a list of recommended pre-surgery exercises and protein drinks; and advise patients to use a “Game Ready” ice machine to reduce swelling after surgery. In addition, Dr. Berger prescribes a variety of medications that involve multiple pathways so patients experience less pain and can stop taking them days after surgery.For additional details, visit   DR. BERGER ONLINE or call 312.432.2557.