John – skiing and playing tennis 3 months after anterior hip replacement

 I am a “75 year young” active sportsman; I have skied and played tennis all my life and I have also had my share of sports injuries/surgeries over the past 20 years.

Unfortunately, arthritis and joint replacements are common in my family: in fact, all 12 of my aunts/uncles on my mom’s side had hip or knee replacements by the time they reached 70. So, I knew my first joint replacement was inevitable (particularly after I had a hip issue repaired arthroscopically in 2008).

John is on the left with his arms out. Pictured here at Copper Mountain Colorado this past February.

My research led me to two conclusions: firstly that the “anterior approach” for hip replacement is superior to others, and secondly, Dr. Mast is one of the best anterior hip replacement surgeons in Northern California (if not the entire state).

In 1995 I was diagnosed with a potentially dangerous heart condition (angina). At that time I was sent to a cardiologist who performed angioplasty (a “balloon” enlargement for coronary blockage) that failed to hold twice in 4 months…..

Since then I have never relied on just one doctor’s recommendation to a specialist. In fact, I now research as much as I can before seeking medical care!

That brings me to Doctor Nick Mast who has been “bookmarked” in my “favorites” since around 2017  in anticipation of the hip replacement I would inevitably need in the near future.  My research led me to two conclusions: the “Anterior approach” for hip replacement is superior to others, and secondly, Dr. Mast is one of the best anterior hip replacement surgeons in Northern California (if not the entire state).

On my initial consult with Doctor Mast, I explained what my goals and hopeful expectations were: I wanted to continue to ski and play tennis.  He said he’d have me on the snow 3 months post op.

He performed my hip replacement on 10/05/21 and guess what……I was hitting tennis balls on the ball machine in late December and back on the snow January 10 2022 !  I skied 23 days this past ski season.

I feel enormous gratitude to Doctor Mast and his fantastic staff for allowing me to continue the activities I enjoy!

Nicholas Mast MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the hip and pelvis.

Trained in pelvic and acetabular trauma and reconstruction by some of the best in the field, his treatments range from non-replacement options for the management of hip osteoarthritis to complex revision surgeries and hip preservation techniques including periacetabular osteotomy.

He is the most experienced surgeon in the region in the use of the anterior approach for hip replacement and regularly uses this minimally invasive, fast recovery anterior approach to treat a wide variety of hip conditions.