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Teri Diamond

American Fitness, May-June, 2003

As fitness professionals, we all come in contact with aging baby-boomers who need ways to keep fit while fighting arthritic pain and other consequences of aging. Persevering through arthritic pain conditioned Teri Diamond to not only qualify for a new athletic hip replacement, but also to return to teaching aerobics just six weeks after surgery!

In 1980, Diamond had a car accident and was not wearing a seat belt. To prevent going through the windshield, she braced her left foot against the firewall. Although she did not sustain any injuries, 18 years later, unbeknownst to Diamond, the side effects of drug treatments administered to treat endometriosis (i.e., the growth of endometrial tissue in abnormal locations) accelerated an osteo-arthritis condition in the traumatized left hip. After attending a Johnny G Spinning[R] certification one weekend, Diamond experienced excruciating pain to the point where she could not lift her left leg.

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Diamond initially consulted two orthopedic surgeons. Both diagnosed the condition as osteo-arthritis in the left hip. Her femur had begun to collapse and she needed a total hip replacement. However, because conventional implants only last 12 to 15 years and Diamond was only 40 at the time, the replacement surgery needed to be put off as long as possible.

One doctor advised Diamond to stop teaching and exercising. He suggested a standard 12-year hip implant; thereafter she could probably have one revision before resorting to a wheelchair. An energetic aerobics instructor known to live and talk at warp speed, she could not accept such a scenario.

The second doctor encouraged Diamond to stay fit and active as long as possible. If she continued to teach her joint could re-calcify, thereby restoring bone density as well as keeping her muscles strong. By staying fit, she would be better prepared for the surgery and benefit from a faster and more permanent total recovery. On the other hand, if she stopped teaching aerobics, every pound she gained would equal four times that in stress on the joint. Therefore, if she gained five pounds, it would equal 20 pounds of stress.

For the next three years, Diamond continued to teach (but adjusted as her body demanded) and lived with a regimen of pain management. To her traditional cross-training program and schedule of classes (which focus on utilizing large and small controlled muscular movements, athletic training moves, level changes and repetition to target and utilize large muscle groups during cardio-training portions of class) she added Power Yoga. Power Yoga helped stretch muscles that were in a tight spasm trying to protect and hold the hip joint in place.

Over time, Diamond consulted seven orthopedic surgeons, who all gave her the same response. One even recommended she see a sports psychologist to help her accept the fact that her fit and active life was over. At this point she asked the crucial question, "Where would I go if I were a Dallas Cowboy?" Finally, she found the surgeon with the answer.

Dr. Paul Peters of The Carrell Clinic in Dallas used a less invasive procedure to implant a new "Athletic Hip," approved by the FDA in December 2000. This new "Athletic Hip" is larger than the traditional hip, metal on metal and lab-tested to last considerably longer. The procedure would mean less trauma, faster recovery and a very small scar!

In November 2001, Peters performed the surgery. Diamond was home in 48 hours (normally recovery takes a week in the hospital, followed by a week of rehab) and walking (using crutches) two and a half miles within a week. Although she had been told normal lifestyle recovery, with minimal impact exercise, typically takes three months, she returned to teaching a step class within six weeks.

A year and a half later, Diamond feels and looks great and has her active, fit life back. At 45, she teaches 20 classes a week across 10 different formats. As a reporter who observed her class stated, "When Teri Diamond teaches an aerobics class, she puts her whole body into it--stepping high, kicking, doing jumping jacks."

Does being fit make a difference as we approach those "middle" years? It sure does! Diamond proves fitness really can help people achieve incredible results and age gracefully.

Teri Diamond

American Fitness, May-June, 2003

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