At Slocum Orthopedics, we have the privilege of helping patients reclaim their lives through personalized, expert care. Geoff Colvin is a long-term patient who has undergone multiple joint replacement surgeries with Dr. Brian Jewett, one of our skilled orthopedic surgeons.

Geoff, now in his 80s, has a history of high-level competitive athletics, including Australian football, squash, cricket, golf and tennis. While he loved sports, they also took a toll on his joints over time. By 2000, Geoff was experiencing significant pain and limitations in his hips and knees. “I couldn’t roll over in bed without my knee locking and being incredibly painful,” Geoff recalls. “I went to a high school reunion in Australia many years ago. And, all the guys that were the athletes and heroes at school, they are in wheelchairs and using walking sticks. I could see a wheelchair for me frankly.”

When Geoff first met with Dr. Jewett, X-rays revealed severe joint degeneration. “You could just see that jagged bone on bone,” Geoff describes. After exhausting less-invasive treatment options, Geoff and Dr. Jewett decided that a hip replacement was the best course of action.

Reflecting on his decision, Geoff shares, “I felt I had no choice. And I couldn’t keep living the way I was. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t move, it was really debilitating and painful.”

Thanks to advancements in joint replacement technology and Dr. Jewett’s expertise, Geoff’s first hip replacement was a success. “Almost within a day, apart from the pain from being cut open a bit, I could move without the pain. It was just incredible,” Geoff recalls.

The recovery process was relatively quick, with Geoff diligently following the prescribed exercises to strengthen the muscles around his new joint. “Dr. Jewett did his job, and now I needed to do mine,” he explains. “Be faithful to the exercises, because your hip has been playing out for a long time, making the muscles around it are pretty useless.” Geoff’s advice to others considering joint replacement surgery is to trust the process and your care team.

Over the next 20 years, Geoff went on to have his other hip and one knee replaced by Dr. Jewett. Each time, Geoff was struck by Dr. Jewett’s professionalism, skill, and personal touch. “He visited me almost as soon as my eyes were open after surgery,” Geoff shares. “I got a sense that it wasn’t mechanical or routine, that he came across as genuinely concerned.”

As Geoff prepares to address his other knee with Dr. Jewett, he reflects on the profound impact Dr. Jewett and the team at Slocum have had on his life: “I feel blessed to have come across Slocum and specifically, Dr. Jewett. It’s given me a quality of life that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.”

At Slocum Orthopedics, we are honored to be a part of journeys like Geoff’s, helping our patients reclaim their mobility, independence, and joy. If you’re experiencing joint pain or limitations, know that our team is here to help you explore your options and create a personalized plan to help you Live in Motion once again.