May 2, 2009 Miller's Landing Registration 8:30am Walk begins at 10:00am
Walk with Special Guest Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton
Hip surgery. Isn’t that for older adults? Well, that’s a common misperception. Just ask Mary Lou Retton. At 38, America’s high-energy “Fitness Ambassador” and former Olympic gymnastics champion flashes her famous smile without even a hint of pain these days. It’s a full turn from a little more than a year ago, when Mary Lou was in too much pain to even play with her four children, much less stand or sit comfortably.
Mary Lou’s constant hip pain started off as a dull ache in her early 30s. The source of Mary Lou’s debilitating pain was hip dysplasia, a hereditary abnormal formation of the hip joint. Her suffering progressed until routine movement was excruciating and Mary Lou was unable to perform daily tasks.
When her surgeon recommended total hip replacement, she expressed her wish to return to her normal activities, including her workout schedule. Because of Mary Lou’s age and activity level, her surgeon chose a system that would allow excellent range of motion and provide low risk of dislocation: Biomet’s M2a-Magnum™ metal-on-metal hip replacement system.
In June of 2005, Mary Lou’s left hip was replaced with the M2a-Magnum™ hip. While she’s the first to admit that the surgery wasn’t easy and included a full three-month recovery, she couldn’t be happier with the results.*
There is one thing she regrets — living with the pain for so long. And that’s why Mary Lou contacted Biomet, because she wanted to spread the word on how the M2a-Magnum™ hip replacement system changed her life. “Do your research on your doctor, make an appointment,” suggests Retton. “Don’t put it off. You don’t have to live in pain and miss out on life.”
The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis.
Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
By registering for the 2009 Arthritis Walk, you are also becoming a part of Let's Move Together®, a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation. Let's Move Together® encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis.
At the Event…
Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route
Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes
Wear a blue “hero” hat if you have arthritis
Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information
Register online today! Once you register, you can set up your own personal Web page and begin fund raising. Raise $100 or more and earn an official Arthritis Walk®T-shirt.
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