Take me to St. Mark’s: My joint replacements enable me to keep skiing.

Michael Biittner started skiing at 18 and is now 77 — that’s nearly 60 years of hitting the slopes every winter season. Impressive! To continue his active lifestyle, Michael makes maintenance a top priority —for his skis and his body. For example, over the years, some of Michael’s joints have needed entirely new “equipment.” Michael took those situations seriously, diligently researching and carefully selecting healthcare professionals and places he could most trust.

The need for new equipment happened gradually, but Michael noticed the intensifying hip pain during a season of instructing advanced, aggressive skiers. He was 62.

“Skiing was fine, but walking wasn’t so fine,” Michael remembered. “I finally had to face the facts: I had very little cartilage left. A hip replacement was imminent. Even so, it took me about a year to identify who I’d want to do it.”

Michael's dedication to his active lifestyle led him to research specialized surgeons and hip replacement techniques. He was determined to avoid cutting muscles and tendons as much as possible for a quick and full recovery. He interviewed several popular surgeons and found his match when he met Dr. Peter Novak, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic, located on the St. Mark’s Hospital campus.

“We resonated. He’s experienced and skilled and used the techniques I researched. I also like that his attitude is that the best surgery is no surgery, but when you got to do it, you got do it,” Michael said. “Plus, he’s a skier. In fact, he has snow skied every month of the year for 25 years!”

New joints mean a renewed quality of life.

Dr. Novak performed a total hip replacement for Michael using an anterior approach, meaning the surgeon created a small incision near the front of the hip to remove the damaged bone and cartilage and implant the artificial hip. This approach is known for avoiding damage to surrounding muscles and tendons, thus enabling a speedy, less painful recovery.

The surgery brought forth such tremendous results that about seven years later, when Michael’s other hip needed to be replaced, Michael sought out Dr. Novak for a repeat procedure.

“With both total hip replacements, my experience at St. Mark’s Hospital was seamless and flawless. I received just the level of care that I needed – not too much and not too little. The care was perfect,” Michael said.

Michael had his surgeries in the spring, giving him the summer and fall to recover and strengthen. As part of his personal rehabilitation plan, each week, he hiked a 3,000-foot elevation gain trail at Snowbird and then rode the tram back down. By winter, he returned to the slopes.

Personalized care, cutting-edge technology: St. Mark’s Orthopedics aims to provide speedy recoveries.

Unfortunately, last year, Michael suffered an injury during a freak ski accident. While shredding deep snow, Michael somehow ended up hanging upside down from a tree branch, still attached to his skis. As his body dangled and twisted, Michael could hear his knee pop and feel the pain radiate. Michael would need a new knee.

Approaching his third joint replacement in 15 years, Michael knew exactly where he wanted to go and who he wanted to do his surgery.

This time, Dr. Novak performed Michael’s surgery at St. Mark’s Hospital using cutting-edge robotic-assisted technology. The digital navigation enabled precise placement tailored specifically for Michael’s anatomy, and the technology’s technique delivered a wide range of motion and speedy recovery time.

“It was a fast recovery, and though it was against popular advice or wisdom, six weeks after my surgery, I skied. It was the last day of the season, and I just had to get out and feel how solid my new knee was. It was wonderful,” Michael said.

Michael plans to continue skiing as long as possible, though he says he’s deliberate and mindful in his method. He does not plan on more joint replacements … but if the need arises, he knows where to go and who to see.

“I say, ‘Take me to St. Mark’s,’ because I trust them. They’re always extremely professional, courteous, and kind. Plus, location matters a lot to me. I have arranged most of my care around this facility, as it’s only 2 miles from my house. Having excellent care close to home is important,” Michael said. “I’m sincere about my good fortune and the good level of care I’ve received, and I’m thankful my joint replacements have enabled me to keep skiing.”

Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic offers same-day consults with a joint specialist for all new injuries. You can be seen today or the very next business day. To learn more, visit SaltLakeOrthopedics.com or call (801) 261-7479.