Apr 23, 2021 Reporting from Niles, MI
Running from the pain - Ethan Shirk
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/running-from-the-pain/?utm_source=Running_from_the_pain&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Apr 23, 2021
Apr 23, 2021
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us.&nb
Running from the pain - Ethan Shirk
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Running from the pain - Ethan Shirk
Apr, 2021
Physicians: Nicholas Loafman, DO and Daniel Jones, MD
Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to help patients manage certain conditions, relieve pain, restore mobility and independence, or return to work and other daily activities. To find an orthopedic surgeon near you, contact us.
When 29-year-old Niles resident, Ethan Shirk, could no longer go for short walks without feeling unbearable pain in his right hip, he knew it was time to seek help. He suffered from mild hip pain his entire life because of the way he was born. As he got older, the pain continued to worsen.
He had surgery on both hips at a different hospital in 2010, but unfortunately the right one didn’t heal as well as the left. Frustrated from the outcome, Ethan didn’t want to go through another surgery to correct the pain.
“I had so much anxiety about having surgery again,” said Ethan. “I was not in the right headspace.”
In 2018 Ethan decided to schedule an appointment to see primary care provider, Daniel Jones, MD, at Southwestern Medical Clinic in Niles. Ethan shared that he was still in pain after all these years. Dr. Jones’ prescribed Ethan muscle relaxers, and recommended he start physical therapy, and begin to work on his mental health.
“Dr. Jones really listened to me and understood my concerns about having surgery again,” said Ethan. “I appreciated that he was willing to try other options to help relieve my pain.”
However, as the months went by, Ethan was still in pain. It only grew worse when he slipped and fell in the bathtub one day.
“The pain was intense,” said Ethan. “I immediately scheduled another appointment with Dr. Jones and expressed that it was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life.”
Dr. Jones referred Ethan to orthopedic surgeon, Nicholas Loafman, DO, who ordered an MRI. The images revealed Ethan had a small tear in his right hip. Dr. Loafman recommended surgery to repair it.
“Dr. Loafman explained everything in great detail and left nothing to the imagination,” said Ethan. “I had just recovered from a narcotic addiction that I acquired after my second surgery. I explained that I didn’t want to take any medication for the pain after surgery. He accommodated my request by putting in a nerve blocker instead.”
Ethan underwent his third surgery at Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital. Prior to leaving the hospital, Ethan had to practice walking with crutches and going up stairs to ensure he would be able to move around at home.
“I was excited to be able to walk up the stairs normally,” said Ethan. “Before, I had to slide up them backwards just to get to bed.”
Ethan started physical therapy the following week and attended for two months as he worked to regain strength in his hip and legs.
After many years of living in fear of undergoing another surgery, Ethan is now pain free. He is back to running, weightlifting, and going for walks.
“If you have anxiety about getting surgery, talk to your doctor,” said Ethan. “They will put you at ease. Don’t let fear deter you from living your life without pain.”'
Watch more of Ethan's story in the video below: