Patient Stories
Flying High Again After Double Hip Replacement
Date posted: 3/4/2026
Last updated: 3/4/2026
Table of Contents
At age 71, Chicago resident Ron Caputi feared his 50-year career as a flight attendant might be coming to an early end. Since age 20, he had spent his life traveling the world, eventually earning the seniority to work international routes to destinations like Rome and Athens.
But it was not age or retirement policy that worried him. It was the pain in both of his hips.
“I thought I was going to lose my career before I was ready,” Caputi explains. “I didn’t want to stop living my life and enjoying my job, but the hip pain was too much.”
When Hip Pain Begins to Take Over
Working as a flight attendant had always been physically demanding.
“We are always working on an angle and balancing to stay upright,” he says. “Flight attendants typically suffer from foot, ankle, and knee issues from the wear and tear. But my pain started in my hips and back about three years ago.”
Caputi tried several conservative treatment options, including massage therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care, but none provided lasting relief.
When Hip Pain and Osteoarthritis Start to Affect Daily Life
Working as a flight attendant had always been physically demanding.
“We are always working on an angle and balancing to stay upright,” he says. “Flight attendants typically suffer from foot, ankle, and knee issues from the wear and tear. But my pain started in my hips and back about three years ago.”
Caputi tried several conservative treatments, including massage therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Despite these efforts, his hip pain continued to worsen.
When Severe Hip Pain Signals the Need for Specialized Orthopedic Care
While on a trip to Paris last year, Caputi reached a breaking point.
“I had just gone out for a great meal in Paris and when I stood up to leave the restaurant, my hips locked up. I was in extreme pain and could hardly move,” he recalls. “I slowly walked back to the hotel and decided it was time for a higher level of care.”
After returning to Chicago, Caputi began researching joint replacement surgeons and discovered the online profile of Dr. Tad Gerlinger at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.
Diagnosing Advanced Hip Osteoarthritis and Considering Hip Replacement Surgery
During his consultation, Dr. Gerlinger reviewed Caputi’s imaging and diagnosed him with advanced osteoarthritis in both hips.
He recommended a staged approach to treatment, starting with a total hip replacement on the right side followed by surgery on the left once he had recovered.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Caputi at his initial consultation, where it was clear he was a healthy, motivated individual who had largely failed conservative treatment for his severe bilateral hip osteoarthritis,” Dr. Gerlinger explains.
“Given the severity of his condition, along with limited range of motion and stiffness, I knew total hip replacement could significantly improve his function and quality of life.”
Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery and Same-Day Recovery
Caputi underwent his first hip replacement at the Gold Coast SurgiCenter in Chicago. Within hours of surgery, Dr. Gerlinger’s team had him standing and walking.
With help from the surgical team, he practiced navigating stairs and learned how to use a cane and crutches before returning home later the same day.
“A member of the surgery center staff literally walked me in a wheelchair across the street to my apartment,” Caputi remembers. “It was pretty funny.”
Four months later, he returned for his second hip replacement, which was equally successful.
Recovery After Hip Replacement and Returning to an Active Lifestyle
Caputi credits Dr. Gerlinger and his care team for their support throughout the process.
Just one month after his second surgery, he completed physical therapy and was released without restrictions. Soon after, he was back working out with his trainer.
“I feel years younger and connected to life again,” he says.
Returning to Work and Travel After Double Hip Replacement
Today, Caputi has returned to yoga, Pilates, cardio workouts, and resistance training without pain.
Most importantly, he is back at work as a flight attendant, traveling the world again.
After two successful hip replacements, Ron Caputi is once again flying high.
When Hip Pain Begins to Take Over
Working as a flight attendant had always been physically demanding.
“We are always working on an angle and balancing to stay upright,” he says. “Flight attendants typically suffer from foot, ankle, and knee issues from the wear and tear. But my pain started in my hips and back about three years ago.”
Caputi tried several conservative treatment options, including massage therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care, but none provided lasting relief.
