KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Surgery Helps Officer Return To Streets
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Officer Tom Chancellorby Cliff Judy
He could barely walk two years ago, much less jump fences, chase suspects, and anything else a police officer has to do. Now, Officer Tom Chancellor is excited to be back on the streets of Derby.
Chancellor was an 11-year veteran of the Derby Police Department before severe arthritis in both hips forced him to retire in March 2006. The arthritis made everyday activities like walking nearly impossible.
"You have to do a little bit of soul-searching, look in the mirror, and just tell yourself I can't do it," says Chancellor.
Chancellor found his way back to his career of choice through a surgery new to the U.S. and a Wichita surgeon trained in performing it. Dr. Robert Cusick with the Kansas Joint and Spine Institute called Chancellor the perfect candidate for the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Procedure.
The procedure has been used in England for several years but only received approval in the U.S. less than two years ago.
In normal hip replacements, doctors cut off the top of the femur and replace it with a metal rod and ball. In hip resurfacing, the femur is shaved and then topped with a metal cap. The procedure allows more high-intensity activity after surgery.
"He quickly came to realize that this might be a God-send for him," says Dr. Cusick.
Now, Chancellor isn't just back on the streets. He's protecting them.
"How do you thank someone for that?" says Chancellor. "Your life is just put on standby for two years. You can't do the simplest task, and then that person is able to give that back to you."
For more information on hip resurfacing, check out the Health Source section of KWCH.com or click on any of the links listed on this page.
