“My Life Is Back”: Lorry’s Double Hip Replacement Journey

When Westford resident Lorry Derbenwick began to feel constant pain in both hips, she thought it came from her decades of ballet, jazzercise, and high-intensity workouts. But over time, the discomfort made even simple movements difficult.

“My left hip would sometimes cramp up for hours,” Lorry recalls. “There were times where I could barely move.” Before the pandemic, she suspected that hip replacement surgery might be in her future. Like many, she waited – until the pain began to limit her daily life.

Finding the Right Orthopedic Surgeon
Lorry began carefully researching her options. She read online reviews, talked with friends, and looked for an experienced orthopedic surgeon who used the most advanced technology and techniques.

That search led her to Matthew Sloan, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Orthopedic Affiliates at Emerson Health.

“After my first consultation with Dr. Sloan, I knew I was in good hands,” she says.

Lorry appreciated Dr. Sloan’s years of experience, his compassionate approach, and his use of the anterior approach to hip replacement – a minimally-invasive technique that allows for a faster recovery. She also liked that he uses the Mako robotic-assisted surgery approach, which provides greater precision and accuracy during joint replacement.

“I trusted him and everyone who works with him,” she explains. “The team was fantastic – thorough, positive, and reassuring at every appointment. By the time surgery came, I had no fear.”

Two Surgeries, Two Smooth Recoveries
Dr. Sloan replaced Lorry’s left hip in September 2023.“The nurses and staff were marvelous,” she says. “Pain management was amazing – I did not need anything stronger than Tylenol!”

Just one day after surgery, she began in-home physical therapy through Emerson Health Home Care. Within weeks, she continued her rehabilitation at the Emerson Rehabilitative and Sports Therapy Center in Westford, where she attended sessions twice a week for a few months.

“The PT team was phenomenal; I actually looked forward to my appointments!” she says.

Because it is not recommended to replace both hips during the same surgery – one leg needs to stay strong for recovery – Lorry waited until July 2024 to have her second hip replacement.

“The second time was even smoother,” she recalls. “I knew exactly what to expect with every part of the procedure, healing, and recovery. It was seamless.”

She now travels around New England, walks long distances like the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, and plans to return to tennis, tai chi, and jazzercise.

“Before surgery, I had to pick things up like a giraffe because it hurt too much to bend down,” she says. “Now I bend, dance, and walk without pain. My legs do not even get tired.

Exceptional Care, Every Step of the Way
For Lorry, the experience was about far more than surgery. It was about compassionate, coordinated care from start to finish.

“Two New Maserati-Style Hips”
Today, Lorry’s recovery has been remarkable.

Lorry holds a Maserati matchbox car she bought to remind her of her new hips.

Learn More About Hip Replacement at Emerson Health

If you experience hip pain that limits your daily life, Emerson Health’s orthopedic specialists offer advanced treatment options, including:

• Comprehensive rehabilitation through Emerson’s Rehabilitative and Sports Therapy Centers
• Anterior approach hip replacement for less muscle disruption and faster recovery
• Mako robotic-assisted joint replacement for enhanced precision