The hip joints contribute to a large portion of our mobility and are essential for daily activities such as walking, running, and sitting. However, when these joints become damaged or worn down due to age or injury, it can greatly impact our quality of life.

In this patient Q&A session, we spoke with Cyndi who has recently undergone total hip replacement surgery with Dr. Rohan Gopinath at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists. As someone who has always lived an active lifestyle, Cyndi’s symptoms hindered her ability to enjoy her favorite activities and ultimately feel like herself.

As a specialist in robotic hip and knee replacements, Dr. Gopinath has dedicated himself to helping patients like Cyndi regain mobility, find relief from pain, and get back to living the lives they love.

Keep reading to learn more about Cyndi’s journey with total hip replacement at BOS.

Hello Cyndi! Talk to us about your life before your surgery. What symptoms were you experiencing? How did hip pain affect your life?

I was very limited in what I was able to do. Being an active person who was constantly on the go just walking from the parking lot at work was exhausting. Going up and down the stairs at home was excruciating pain. I had to take one stair at a time and hold on to the handrail with two hands. When I reached the top I was out of breath.  

I had lower back pain and a sharp burning pain that ran down the upper inner thigh to my knee. The hip pain affected every part of my life. I could barely stand up without having to hold on to something before taking a step. Making dinner I could only stand for a short period of time. Shopping was very limited, especially if I had to walk a distance. I wasn’t comfortable sitting, standing, walking or even sleeping. Exercising was out of the question, I couldn’t even walk a block without being in terrible pain.

What made you ultimately decide to undergo a total hip replacement?

Not being able to do the things I enjoy. I’ve always been an athletic person and not to be able to walk a block without being in extreme pain was inconceivable.

Why did you choose Barrington Orthopedic Specialists? What stood out to you about Dr. Gopinath?

I went through Barrington Orthopedic Specialists in 2018 for ACL surgery and had a very positive experience.  

What stood out to me about Dr. Gopinath is his knowledge and empathy. He took his time to explain what the x-ray showed, [explained] my options, and asked what were my expectations. Dr. Gopinath explained what a total hip replacement would involve, the process, and the recovery timeline.

Tell us a bit about your procedure. What was involved in your total hip replacement?

I had 6 weeks of pre-physical therapy. The surgery was robotic hip replacement. There were two Zoom meetings. One meeting explained what you need to do prior to the surgery and the second meeting explained what happens post-surgery. 

A nurse calls the night before surgery to give you the time the surgery is scheduled and the time you need to arrive at the hospital. They will also go over any instructions from the doctor and medications you need to take. Once registered at the hospital you sit in the waiting room until they call you to go to pre-op and then off to surgery. After surgery, you’re returned to recovery and then you either go home or are admitted to the hospital.

What has your recovery process been like? How are Dr. Gopinath and the BOS team assisting you?

My recovery was phenomenal. I had no pain, just stiffness. I was walking with a walker the first day after surgery. The first week home I walked with my walker, the second week with a crutch, and the third week no assistance. I made sure I walked every hour. Again, I was stiff, but no pain. I had 8 weeks of physical therapy which went very well.  

Dr. Gopinath explained the recovery process prior to surgery. I was so well prepared for what to expect. During post follow-up doctor visits I would ask Dr. Gopinath prior to doing a stretch or exercise.

It's been 5 months since I had surgery and I'm back to feeling like I’m my old self. I can go for long walks, ride my stationary bike, exercise, stand for long periods of time, walk, and not feel exhausted. In fact, I’ve had some lower back pain since I was in my 20s and now my back feels fantastic.

Where are you in your rehabilitation process now? What has been the most rewarding part of recovery? The most difficult?

I’ve been done with physical therapy for 3 months. I’m back to being able to do all the things I did prior to my back and leg pain. In fact, I feel I can do more and have a lot more energy. Most rewarding is being able to move and do things without pain. The most difficult part was sleeping in the beginning because I sleep on my side.

How are you doing with your new hip? How has it changed your day-to-day life?

Fantastic!!!!!

Being able to do things and not be in pain has changed my day-to-day life 100%.

What would you say to another person considering a total hip replacement?

Make an appointment with Dr. Gopinath. You need to talk to a doctor that is going to listen and come up with a plan for you. All hip replacement recovery is different for each person. It’s important to find a doctor that you feel comfortable and confident with and this is why I recommend Dr. Gopinath to anyone that tells me they’re having hip or back issues.

Thank you for answering these questions for us!

At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, we often see lives transformed by joint replacement procedures. Judy's story is a shining example: after her right hip replacement with Dr. Rohan Gopinath, she found immediate relief and renewed energy, allowing her to play with her grandchildren again. 

Keep reading to learn more about Judy’s journey and discover how a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon like Dr. Gopinath helped restore her quality of life.

Hello Judy! Talk to us about your day-to-day life prior to your surgery. How long had you been experiencing hip pain, and how did it affect you?

The hip pain seemed to come and go until November 2024. I went to see Dr. Gopinath. At that time, he X-rayed my hip and determined I would need a hip replacement in the near future. I wanted to exhaust other treatments before hip surgery. I received a shot to the hip area, medications, and physical therapy.

When did you decide it was time to pursue hip surgery?

In June of 2025, after exhausting all other treatments and experiencing right knee pain. I contacted Dr. Gopinath, and he explained that knee pain is connected to hip pain. At this point, I was using a cane for balance.

Describe your first consultation with Barrington Orthopedic Specialists. What made you choose Dr. Gopinath and BOS as the team to perform your surgery?

I felt very comfortable with Dr. Gopinath and his team. Dr. Gopinath and his team are always available for questions and concerns. I felt very confident with Dr. Gopinath performing my surgery.

Tell us a bit about your procedure. How did Dr. Gopinath help you prepare? How long did it take? What was involved in your total hip replacement? 

Dr. Gopinath and his team explained the hip replacement surgery in detail and all of the prep work that needed to be done to assure a successful surgery – along with a book of instructions! Again, both Dr. Gopinath and his team were very quick to answer my questions or concerns, making me very comfortable and less anxious. It was a one-day surgery!

How is your recovery going? What has been the toughest part of adjusting to your new hip? What is the most rewarding part?

Recovery has been GREAT! I wish I had done the surgery sooner! I left the hospital feeling better than I had in almost a year. I just finished six weeks of PT! I will continue to do exercises at home to strengthen my right hip.

Have Dr. Gopinath and the BOS team been helpful to you throughout your recovery?

Dr. Gopinath and his team have been wonderful! I have returned for my post-op visits to BOS. The staff is always professional, caring, and efficient. They make you feel very special.

Tell us about your new right hip. How are you doing? Are there any ways your life has improved that you’d like to share?

Right hip replacement has improved my life. I can play with my grandchildren more and just enjoy daily life much more!

What would you say to others who are considering a total hip replacement? 

Don’t wait! If Dr. Gopinath says your life will improve with hip replacement – listen to him! I have not one regret with this surgery! Thank you, Dr. G. and your team!

Thank you for answering these questions for us!

To learn more about Dr. Gopinath, visit his page on our website! If you’d like to schedule a consultation, contact our office at (847) 285-4200 or schedule online here. 

Don’t let hip pain keep you from the things you love. Visit Barrington Orthopedic Specialists and get started on the road to recovery!

If you’re living with chronic hip pain, don’t wait any longer. Visit Barrington Orthopedic Specialists and get started on your road to recovery.

Total hip replacement can be a life-changing procedure for those struggling with severe hip pain and limited mobility. In this patient Q&A, we hear from Ari Smith, who underwent total knee replacement surgery with Dr. Rohan Gopinath at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.

Dr. Gopinath is a board-eligible, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the hip and knee. He has helped countless patients like Ari regain their mobility and improve their quality of life through this transformative procedure.

Keep reading to learn more about Ari’s journey with Dr. Gopinath at BOS.

Hello Ari! Tell us about your life prior to surgery. How long have you been experiencing hip pain? How was it affecting your life? 

I began having pain in my right leg probably 3 years ago. Initially, I thought it was perhaps a pulled nerve or some sort of sciatica that would eventually go away, but of course it did not. Frustrated, I began looking for professional help and was referred to Barrington Orthopedics by my wife, who had previously had many positive experiences with the practice. After an initial assessment by a BOS team member, I was referred to Dr. Gopinath.

Why did you ultimately decide to pursue total hip replacement surgery?

Basically it came down to a quality-of-life issue for me. I was tired of constantly being in pain and taking over-the-counter medications to relieve the pain, especially at night when trying to get to sleep.

Describe your first consultation. Why did you decide to have your procedure with Dr. Gopinath and Barrington Orthopedic Specialists?

I was immediately impressed with Dr. Gopinath’s “bedside manner” as I was with his entire team, very friendly, understanding, and encouraging. He actually left the decision as to whether to have the procedure entirely up to me and suggested that I take some time to evaluate pros and cons to the surgery. He also suggested that we try an injection to the hip that would give me an idea of how I would feel after the hip replacement, and then make a decision. It didn’t take me that long to figure out that I should have gotten the procedure scheduled a long time ago.

Tell us about your procedure with Dr. Gopinath. What was involved in your right total hip replacement? How long did the procedure take?

Dr. Gopinath suggested that I was an excellent candidate for anterior hip replacement  and that it could be done without any issues at Schaumburg Surgery Center located at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, Schaumburg office.  instead of a multi-day hospital stay. Again, totally my decision to go with the surgical center, where I checked in the day of surgery at 11:00 AM and was out of surgery by 3:00 PM and on my way home. Amazingly, I was able to take several steps and walked immediately after my surgery!

What has been the biggest challenge of your recovery period? What was the most rewarding part?

My understanding is that people who have anterior hip replacement typically recover and rehab quicker, which was the case with my recovery. My biggest challenge was to slow down and let my hip heal, and not to do too much. The most rewarding thing was that after a short two weeks of at-home rehab visits by a rehabilitation specialist, I was able to walk and climb stairs without any assistance. My mobility was the same as it was in my 30s!

Have Dr. Gopinath and the BOS team been helpful to you during the rehabilitation process?

Absolutely yes, I had BOS check in on me on a daily basis and later on a weekly schedule. I leveraged the rehab department at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, where they have a great crew of therapists who I highly recommend. Regular post-surgical consultations have been scheduled with Dr. Gopinath and his team, where they took X-rays and evaluated my progress.

How is your new hip? Has your procedure changed your life for the better?

As I mentioned, I feel that I am back in my 30s! I am currently much more active and attending Spin classes and other non-high-impact exercises. My quality of life has vastly improved thanks to Dr. Gopinath.

What would you say to others who are considering a hip replacement?

Don’t wait, do it. You’ll wish you had done it earlier!

To learn more about Dr. Gopinath, visit his page on our website! If you’d like to schedule a consultation, contact our office at (847) 285-4200 or schedule online here. 

Don’t let hip pain keep you from the things you love. Visit Barrington Orthopedic Specialists and get started on the road to recovery!