How Tennis Motivation Helped Barry Move Better and Live Stronger
By RESURGENS ORTHOPAEDICS
An ALTA member shares his journey through hip replacement and rehab to get back on the court and return to the sport he loves.
Barry, a longtime ALTA tennis player from Stockbridge, had reached a point where walking was more difficult than playing tennis. Arthritis in his left knee and right hip made everyday tasks painful. Eventually, even climbing stairs or walking to his car became a challenge. Despite that, he kept playing. Not because it was easy but because it mattered.
“I was able to play tennis better than I could walk,” he said. “That sounds strange, but it was just desire carrying me through the matches. Walking to my car afterward was the hardest part.”
By the time he sought help, Barry was struggling to move around at all. “I couldn’t walk and my wife can’t walk either, so I’m the one who does all the walking for both of us. I needed to be on my feet.”
Barry first learned about Resurgens Orthopaedics through a friend on the tennis court. “One of my tennis buddies mentioned Resurgens to me and I remembered the name. I looked them up, saw the office was close, and decided it was time to stop putting it off. I tend to procrastinate when it comes to taking care of myself, but this time I knew I needed help.”
Barry scheduled an evaluation with Dr. Brustein, a hip and knee specialist at Resurgens Orthopaedics. During the visit, Dr. Brustein suspected a possible blood clot and took immediate action. “He had me at a vein specialist within 15 minutes,” Barry said. “And he was right. That moment showed me I was in good hands.”
Once the blood clot was addressed, the focus shifted back to what brought Barry in to begin with, which was the growing pain in his hip that was interfering with the sport he loved. Without a solution, he might have to give it up for good.
What made the biggest impression was Dr. Brustein’s familiarity with the sport. “He understood tennis. We talked about the game and that made me feel like I had the right guy. He knows the body and how it moves in motion, especially during tennis. That gave me a lot of confidence in the plan.”
As the pain in his hip became more limiting, Barry knew he had a decision to make. He had never had surgery before and was hesitant at first, but the idea of losing his mobility for good helped him decide what he wanted to do. “I wanted to keep playing tennis, but more importantly, I had to walk,” he said. “Dr. Brustein explained the options and I decided to move forward with a right hip replacement. I hoped that if I got one leg strong it would help take pressure off the other.”
That decision proved to be the right one. Within two months of surgery Barry was back out on the tennis courts. “Dr. Brustein told me after six weeks I could start hitting the ball again, just not play any matches. I tried but I didn’t feel great, so I backed off for another three weeks. Then I went back out and hit and I felt pretty good. My body just needs time to adjust.”
Tennis has been a key part of Barry’s recovery. It is not just a hobby; it is a motivator. “I’ve played twice since the surgery and while I’m not where I want to be yet, I’m improving. I know I’ll get there. I just need to keep moving and stay consistent.”
Barry completed four weeks of in-home physical therapy followed by outpatient rehab, which he recently completed. “Every therapist told me I was ahead of the curve and Dr. Brustein said the same — that I looked good and just needed to keep walking. That was great to hear.”
His advice for others who are hesitant about surgery is clear. “If you want to get back in the game, give yourself a shot. Go for it. I know people with double knee or hip replacements who are playing again. I’ve only done one hip and it made a big difference. I only wish I’d done it a month sooner. I probably would have been able to play with my team this season.”
Barry’s plan is to keep building strength and confidence with each outing. “I’ll definitely be back within a month. Probably sooner. Once I get regular court time, it’ll all come back. It’s like riding a bike.”
With his new hip, Barry is not just walking again. He is moving with purpose and with every step getting closer to his game.
