Racing down the slopes of a picturesque Italian ski resort seemed like the perfect way to cap off a dream vacation. Maureen Norwood, 56, an avid skier accustomed to Utah’s fluffy snow, found herself facing a different challenge when she took a fall. The icy conditions of foreign snow led to an injury that would disrupt her active lifestyle.
“I knew something was wrong,” Maureen recalls. She hobbled off the slope and spent the rest of her trip in pain. Back home, the discomfort only worsened.
Determined to regain her mobility, she began physical therapy—but even basic exercises were a struggle.
“My kids had to help me stand up and get in and out of the car,” Maureen says. “I kept asking my family to take on more chores. My movement was becoming so limited.”
Her usual activities—exploring the outdoors and skiing—became distant memories. With a trip to Australia already on the calendar, Norwood realized she needed a long-term solution for her chronic pain. After an X-ray revealed that the cushioning tissue around her hip joint had completely worn away, Maureen knew hip replacement surgery was the next step.
Choosing the Right Care
“I knew the 㽶Ƶ of Utah offered the best care,” she explains. “After researching the orthopedic team, I immediately felt confident in our doctor and the facility.”
Her surgeon, Jeremy Gililland, MD, is a leading expert in orthopedic surgery specializing in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee at the 㽶Ƶ of Utah Health.
“We see patients with bone-on-bone joint pain like Maureen’s every day,” Dr. Gililland says. “Fortunately, these cases are routine for us, and we know how to get patients back to the active lifestyles they’re passionate about.” After carefully reviewing Maureen’s health history, X-rays, and pain level, Dr. Gililland and his team determined that she was a good candidate for hip replacement surgery. Norwood was eager to proceed.
The Surgery and Recovery Process
“Surgery is a shared decision between physician and patient,” Dr. Gililland explains. “For many patients, the decision comes down to balancing pain versus functionality. For those in severe pain, a hip replacement can significantly improve quality of life.”
The procedure typically lasts about an hour and a half, and most patients go home the same day. Unlike traditional surgeries, hip replacement at 㽶Ƶ of Utah Health is done with a regional anesthetic, allowing patients to remain awake but comfortable. This approach leads to a quicker recovery with less grogginess and nausea, and patients can stand and move their legs soon after surgery.
Norwood’s recovery was monitored closely by a team of nurses and physical therapists. Before being released, she had to meet safety milestones like walking and using stairs. For a few days, she used crutches to regain balance, but after about six weeks, she could gradually return to her regular activities.
A Better Quality of Life
Maureen wasted no time getting back on her feet. Three weeks after surgery, she was ready for a week-long camping and boating trip. “I was amazed at how strong I felt,” she says. “I could climb in and out of the camper, handle the unsteady boat rides, and even ride my RZR (side-by-side vehicle).”
While hip replacement surgery is most common for people over 55, Dr. Gililland and his team treat patients of all ages—from teens to those in their 90s.
“Hip replacement is no longer just for the elderly,” Dr. Gililland says. “It’s one of the most reliable, impactful, and low-risk procedures we perform. Even younger patients can expect durable, long-lasting results that significantly improve quality of life.”
“The surgery was life-changing for me,” Maureen says. “I couldn’t do any of this without it. I don’t take my movements for granted anymore.”
Her recent trip to Australia was just the beginning. While there, she scuba dived, swam in strong currents, and explored the 110-acre Australia Zoo. She’s now planning a new workout regimen focused on strength, conditioning, and plyometrics to keep her body as adventurous as her spirit.
A Patient-Centered Approach
Dr. Gililland and his team prioritize their patients’ experiences. “Our goal is to build a pathway that guides patients through every step of the process,” he says. “We watch out for them because we truly care.”
For Norwood, the hardest part of her journey wasn’t the surgery—it was waiting for it. “Dr. Gililland and his team made everything so easy,” she reflects. “The procedure and recovery felt like a blip on the radar of my life.”