Doyle Thomas underwent a hip replacement at Hamilton Medical Center and completed the IronMan triathlon just six months later. Hamilton Medical Center Joint Moves Program 706.272.6511 jointmoves@hhcs.org hamiltonhealth.com/jointreplacement 6 7 Doyle Thomas: IronMan “I’ve been a runner all of my life,” says 71 year old Doyle Thomas of Rossville, Georgia. “It’s in my DNA.” As much as Doyle loves running, he had to admit that something was beginning to slow him down. “I coached the Chattanooga Patriots homeschool elementary cross country team for several years and I began to notice that I didn’t have the flexibility in my hip that I once had. Then I started having pain, so much so that I couldn’t lie flat. I slept in a recliner at night to ease the pain.” An orthopedic surgeon in Chattanooga broke the news to Doyle. He had arthritis and needed a hip replacement. So, on the recommendation of his son’s friend, he made an appointment with Mitch Frix, MD, in Dalton, Georgia. “Doyle was extremely physically fit before undergoing hip replacement surgery, says Dr. Frix. “His lifetime commitment to healthy living enabled him to have a quick recovery from surgery and resume his very active lifestyle.” Doyle had the hip replacement surgery at Hamilton Medical Center just one week later. Then he began physical therapy as instructed by Dr. Frix. “Dr. Frix said that if I completed my physical therapy, I would be able to accomplish my goal of competing in the IronMan triathlon in Chattanooga as I had planned to do before the hip surgery,” says Doyle. The IronMan was scheduled to be held just six months after Doyle’s surgery. To compete in a triathlon this quickly after a hip replacement surgery was unheard of. But given Doyle’s level of physical fitness before his surgery, he and Dr. Frix were confident in his ability to compete. Doyle walked inside his home each day. As soon as the surgical incision healed, Dr. Frix cleared him to swim. After much training, the day of the IronMan finally arrived. “The water was cold, just 70.4 degrees. I experienced leg cramps due to the water temperature, but I got through the swim,” says Doyle. “Then I biked for seven hours. Running is my strongest sport, so I was looking forward to that. As with any triathlon, there was physical discomfort involved, but I experienced no pain at all in my hip.” Doyle swam, biked, and ran for nearly 16 hours. When he crossed the finish line, he heard the words he had worked so hard to hear, “Doyle Thomas, you are an IronMan.” The IronMan triathlon consists of a 2.4- mile swim, a 112-mile bike race through downtown Chattanooga and into Walker County, Georgia, and a 26.2-mile run. Doyle continues to stay active and is considering competing in the upcoming IronMan triathlon in Panama City Beach, Florida. Doyle Thomas after crossing the IronMan finish line
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