Carol Berg, who was born on Halloween, likes to tell everyone that she came into this world on a broomstick--and apparently crash-landed on entry.

Carol's real "crash" landing was actually due to DDH, a congenital condition in which newborns' hips are unstable or dislocated. In Carol's case, both hips were involved, and she spent much of her early childhood in traction, body casts and numerous nights in the hospital away from her family. In her late teens and early 20s, osteoarthritis deteriorated her hip sockets to bone on bone. This made it extremely difficult for Carol to engage in her favorite activities--bowling, basketball, hunting, fishing and golf.

In 1971, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved methylmethacrylate (bone cement), and Carol had her first total hip replacement. Over the next 28 years, Carol underwent nine total/partial hip replacements and knows that she would not be active today if it were not for the orthopaedic surgeons in her life. Carol has been able to spend her retirement years with family and friends, enjoying her favorite leisure time activities of gardening, traveling, golfing and "just enjoying life."

Since receiving her first hip replacement, Carol has seen many technical advances. Improvements in prosthetics, materials and instruments have greatly improved long-term outcomes. Surgery and recovery times are shorter, and patient education by physicians and their staff has improved greatly. Routine testing of infants for DDH and appropriate immediate treatment have greatly reduced the long-term consequences of this condition. Continued research into the causes of DDH and support for testing and appropriate treatment remain major concerns. The development of improved testing, equipment and devices will enable doctors to detect orthopaedic abnormalities in even younger patients, leading to improved quality of life for these patients.

Carol, clearly enjoying her active life post-retirement, would like additional orthopaedic research funding to keep her "shake, rattle and rolling" into her golden years.