David Ewing
David Ewing, 65, lives in the Texas Hill Country and spent years teaching fifth grade science at the Fredericksburg Elementary School. Now retired, he is an active member of the community working part time in the Gillespie County elections office and helping travelers at the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. What he didn’t expect was a journey that would lead him to Methodist Hospital Hill Country for a life-changing hip replacement.
“It started with back pain,” Ewing recalls. “I had dealt with lower back issues for quite some time.” He was receiving pain injections and participating in physical therapy when his therapist pointed out something unexpected, a serious issue with his hip. The next day he made an appointment with Charles Romanick, MD, who ordered an X-ray and discovered bone-on-bone arthritis.
Though back surgery had been Ewing’s initial concern, it was clear a hip replacement had to come first. “It wasn’t something I planned,” Ewing says, “but once we knew, we prepared by scheduling surgery and that is when we were introduced to the Restore program.”
The Restore program at Methodist Hospital Hill Country is designed by award-winning orthopedic surgeons and renowned orthopedic medical specialists to reshape your life through a safe, proven, evidence-based joint replacement program.
“We are proud to offer a program that prioritizes both clinical excellence and patient comfort. From pre-operative education to expert pain management and personalized recovery plans, our goal is to help each patient return to mobility and independence as quickly and safely as possible,” says Kelly Schneider, coordinator of performance improvement at the hospital.
“The class was wonderful. I had charts, planned everything, I even bought a chair for the shower that I didn’t end up needing, but that’s how seriously I took it,” Ewing says.
Ewing’s surgery was on the morning of March 26, and he was home by 5 pm. “I’ve never had surgery before, other than a broken nose in high school, so I was nervous,” he says. But this experience was incredible. I literally fell asleep and woke up, and it was done. The team explained everything, and it happened exactly as they said it would.
“I haven’t needed any prescription narcotics. Just over-the-counter meds, and I’ve even cut those in half. My pain level has been a 2, at most.”
His recovery has been smoother than he expected and he credits the hospital staff for making a big difference. “From the moment I arrived, the nurses were friendly and personal. The therapy team took time with me, I never felt rushed. Even the nurse who wheeled me from recovery was laughing and talking with me.” Ewing says.
When asked if this experience has changed him, Ewing said, “Absolutely. I’d hope any future surgery goes as smoothly as this one. The care, the preparation, the teamwork, it was incredible. I am so grateful I didn’t have to travel to San Antonio or Austin.”
After only three weeks, Ewing is slowly regaining strength. “I’m still using a walker, but I’ve made it through surgery, put on my own socks, and I drove myself to church. That’s progress” he says.
His wife, Teri, adds, “We’re so glad we were able to do this here. The whole team gave us peace of mind.”
Ewing’s story is a testament to the power of compassionate care and a well-coordinated team. As he puts it, “It didn’t feel like surgery. It felt like recovery from the moment I walked in.”