In 2018, I fractured my left hip/femur and required emergency surgery to place a rod in my leg. Even though I already had moderate to severe arthritis, I was told the fracture needed to heal first and that I would likely need a hip replacement within 5–10 years. I had been monitored and treated for osteopenia for many years and stayed physically active, but by 2024 I was limping, had no range of motion, was in constant pain, and could no longer put on socks, tie my shoes, or sleep comfortably—I knew it was time.
Dr. Gausden came highly recommended as a trauma‑trained surgeon who embraces challenging cases. I quickly realized how lucky I was. During our first consultation, she thoroughly explained that she would need to remove the old rod and then replace it with a new hip using a robotic‑assisted posterior approach due to the hardware removal. She walked me through everything with complete clarity, including a coordinated bone‑density plan with Dr. Joseph Lane. Over the next six months, I committed to extensive prehab, focusing on strength and mobility.
On the day of surgery, she surprised me with the best news: since our initial visit, she had perfected performing these types of revision cases using an anterior approach. She felt I was the perfect candidate and explained that I could expect an easier recovery with fewer mobility restrictions. I was all in. She worked her magic over five hours on the afternoon of November 18, 2024. I went home the next morning, and her team arranged home PT followed by outpatient PT at HSS.
At my 4‑week follow‑up, just before the holidays, I was walking so well without a cane that she even asked to videotape me. I asked - half‑joking - whether it would be crazy to go to Paris for New Year’s Eve. She gave me a blood thinner for the flight and said, “GO - and your PT is walking all over the City of Lights!” I covered Paris with 15,000+ pain‑free steps a day, just six weeks after major surgery. It was truly the happiest New Year of my life.
Exactly one year later, in November 2025, I returned to Dr. Gausden for my right hip, which had now progressed to bone‑on‑bone arthritis and was painful when standing, walking, and sleeping. We both knew this was coming, but this time the procedure was straightforward—a standard anterior hip replacement. I was her first case of the morning, home a few hours later, and walking my dog within a couple of weeks. Today, I feel bionic. I can even sit cross‑legged - something I thought I had lost forever. I’m counting down the days until warmer weather so I can play outdoor pickleball, bike, hike, and paddleboard again - all pain‑free.
I cannot recommend Dr. Gausden highly enough. She is incredibly skilled, straightforward, and thorough. Her team - special shout‑out to Hayden, Kayla, and Samantha - is exceptional. They are problem solvers, always responsive, and an absolute delight to work with. What an extraordinary team of AMAZING women!
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