Suzanne Ives-Manley is used to being on the go. Whether she’s creating something new at work or supporting her daughters at golf matches and volleyball games, her calendar is always full.
Seventeen years ago, Ives-Manley married her husband, Jeff, and moved to Calhoun. They have three daughters, Taylor, who is married to Bret; Ella and Addison; and two grandchildren, William and JB. She works as a carpet designer for Shaw Industries where she uses her creativity daily. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending Rock Bridge Community Church and living an active lifestyle.
“I stay busy with my family and work,” said Ives-Manley. “In my spare time, I like to hike, golf with my family, fellowship with my church small group, travel and exercise.”
When she started to feel pain in her hip and groin, she thought she had simply pulled a muscle, but the pain continued to get worse.
“The pain went on for months and months,” said Ives-Manley. “I have a high tolerance for pain, and I just kept pushing through, but I eventually gave in.”
When the pain started to affect her quality of life, she made an appointment with Stephen King, MD, of AdventHealth Medical Group Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
“I didn’t realize that the onset of pain when I was 48 and 49 years old was from aging,” said Ives-Manley. “I thought I was too young for that to be happening, but it got to the point where I couldn’t sleep. The pain was just constant.”
After trying a few different treatment methods, Dr. King decided that anterior hip replacement surgery was the best option for her.
“Dr. King put me completely at ease,” said Ives-Manley. “I trusted him, and he gave me the confidence to do the surgery because I knew I was going to be more like my old self again. He explained everything in detail about the surgery and gave me peace of mind.”
Practicing in Calhoun for 15 years, Dr. King is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. As a Level I Trauma Specialist, he is experienced and skilled in the treatment of all areas of the musculoskeletal system and specializes in anterior hip replacements.
“Dr. King’s longevity in the community as an orthopedic surgeon was a comfort to me,” said Ives-Manley. “I also really liked that he offered anterior hip replacements because it makes the recovery so much quicker. Providing this innovative type of surgery was a huge benefit to me.”
The anterior hip replacement is a muscle-sparing procedure where the incision is made in the front of the hip instead of the side. This causes less damage to the surrounding muscles and tendons, allowing patients to recover much quicker than those who undergo a traditional posterior hip replacement.
“Within hours of my surgery, I was up and walking,” said Ives-Manley. “We even practiced going up stairs. It was fascinating and wonderful to be able to do that so quickly.”
After her surgery and in-home rehab, she jumped right back into her busy lifestyle and hasn’t looked back.
“My life has improved so much,” said Ives-Manley. “Before my surgery, I was limited in the types of things I could do. When you’re in pain, you’re less resilient. It makes you second-guess everything and stops you from doing normal life activities. Now, I have my life back.”
Only eight months after her surgery, Ives-Manley completed the number two item on her bucket list: skydiving. She went with her eldest daughter, Taylor, to celebrate her 50th birthday and Taylor’s 30th birthday.
“It was a breathtaking experience,” said Ives- Manley. “I was excited and had no worries about my hip. We jumped near sunset, and it was just perfect. I had no pain in my hip after landing!”
From the trials of pain to finding relief after surgery, she leaned on her relationship with God. “My faith got me through this time in my life,” said Ives-Manley. “I trusted that God was going to heal me through Dr. King and this surgery, and He did. It was well worth it, and I wish I would have done it sooner.”
