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TESTIMONIALS
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BHR HIP PROCEDURE
I am a 62 year old male who has been athletically active all my life. I am a weekend warrior, and not very good at my
chosen activities, but over many years I have enjoyed bicycling, rowing, weight lifting, and years ago a fair amount of
handball and racquetball. All of these sports, along with inherited arthritis, ruined my right hip joint.
Most of us know people who have had the traditional hip replacement surgery, and have heard the horror stories of the long
recuperation period afterwards. Knowing this, I went on the internet looking for alternatives. It was not in vain; I
found what I was looking for.
There is a lot on the internet about the BHR (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing), a new procedure for the United States, but with
a ten year history overseas. I learned all I could about is, researched who the doctors are in the area that do it, and
picked Dr. Raterman, of the Florida Medical Clinic. (He is also Chief of staff at the University Community Hospital in
Tampa).
I saw him as soon as I could, and he told me that I was a prime candidate for the BHR.
On December 29, 2006 the surgery was performed at the University Community Hospital, a short distance from Dr. Raterman's
office. The people at the hospital treated me like family instead of a patient, and on the second day after the surgery I
went home with a walker. I was on the walker for 6 days, on a cane for 2 additional days, and decided on the 9th day to go
without the cane (with the aid of painkillers, of course). Home Physical Therapy was also provided.
It is now 16 days post-surgery. As I write this, I have just come back from a 4 mile bicycle ride (no pain at all), have
been driving my car since the 8th day after surgery, and if I had written a "wish list" for how I wanted all this to turn
out, I would never have dared make the result this good. I still have exercises to do for a while, but I have about resumed
my normal, active life.
Your mileage may vary, of course, but the BHR, in my opinion, is "miracle medicine", and Dr. Raterman (who has done about
10% of all the BHR's performed in the USA) leaves nothing to be desired in an orthopedic surgeon.
Dr. Raterman and staff, many thanks for my active life being restored to me.
Sincerely, Paul Landman, Crystal Beach, FL
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 It's hard to imagine a water sport being hard on the body, but falling 12 feet at 30 MPH with a wakeboard strapped to
your feet is not what knees are made for. During the Professional Wakeboarding Tour in 1996, I had the unfortunate
experience of tearing the ACL and meniscus in my right knee. I relied on Dr. Raterman for treatment. I appreciated that
he understood abstinence from extreme sports for a 23 year old risk taker was not realistic, so he helped me to evaluate
the risks and dangers of activity on my injured knee so I could make my own informed choices. Dr. Raterman repaired my knee
and I was back on the Pro Tour the following year.
 I've sense retired from professional wakeboarding, but recently tore my other ACL performing in a ski show. I relied again
on Dr. Raterman for treatment and received ACL reconstruction on my left knee. I can not imagine a better surgery experience
than of that I received at the Florida Medical Clinic surgery center by Dr. Raterman and his medical team. I was in and
out in half a day and am recovering better than I expected.
Although nobody hopes to see an orthopedist, if it becomes necessary, I will be returning to Dr. Raterman and his team at
Florida Medical Clinic to put me back together. Until then, I'll be back tearin' it up on the water!
Thanks Dr. Raterman!
Doug Homan
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Dr. Raterman & Staff,
That was so nice of all of you.
Just to let you all know my knee surgery was a success and you made my surgery a nice experience and made
me feel at ease for all your help. You're all a great bunch of ladies and you made my day with all your smiles
and personalities.
Thanks doc!
Clark Sulton
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Dr. Raterman,
Thank you very much for the success stories I have with your surgeries.
I have been to see you for severe ankle pain, which was caused by debris within the bones. You cleared it up and I was
walking with no cast or boot within four weeks. Which this ankle was diagnosed 3 different ways by three other physicians.
Next, my occupation as a legal secretary has taken its toll. For several years I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome in both of my wrists. I went through therapy for years and nothing was stopping the numbness and pain anymore.
I came back to you and again have had two successful surgeries where I was back to full speed typing within 4 days.
I have nothing but trust in your ability to perform an outstanding surgery every time. Thank you for everything you and
your staff have done for me. Your name will be on my recommendation list to all I know.
Sincerely,
Laurie Martinez
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Dr. Guttentag, Eric, & Staff,
There is so much I want to say and not enough room to write it!!
I adore the staff! Every staff member has been extremely kind, caring, & very professional. When I am at your office, I
feel like I am apart of your family. Thank you staff for your endless compassion!
Eric, thank you for your kindness. You have always been very sweet & extremely helpful when I needed something. Thank
you Eric for all the wonderful care you helped to give me.
Dr. Guttentag, you are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for giving me my life back. I can have a life again after
5 long years! Thank you for giving me a chance, and for not giving up me. I feel amazing! You are extremely kind,
caring, compassionate, intelligent, funny, and very down to earth. Thank you for your wisdom. I just cannot say enough
about you! I am so grateful for meeting you.
Thank you again & take care,
Kira Bishop
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Dr. Gray,
Thank you very much for the miracle you performed on me. My left hip was so bad I could barely walk at all, and I limped
terribly. On August 25th of this year, 2004, you gave me a new left hip joint. Now I can walk without a limp and without
pain in that joint. Now I can put my socks on without assistance, I can bend and touch my toes. I am riding my recumbent
bicycle again, and have gone as much as twenty miles in one day. You must have done some kind of special new procedure on
me, because I only have a four inch incision. I have a friend who had the same procedure done by a different doctor a
couple of weeks earlier, and he had an eleven inch incision. In just two weeks time, I was walking better than he was.
I think the smaller incision helped me to heal faster and be able to walk without assistance sooner. If I could have
known how much better I would be now, I would have had the procedure done sooner. Thanks very much.
Norman Carey
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Dr. Guttentag:
I would like to say thank you for my recent knee surgery on July 22, 2004. I had the total
minimal knee replacement. On March 9, 1999 I had a total right knee replacement in the
traditional performance on joints. Due to pain and length of recovery period I have been most
apprehensive about another knee replacement.
I was totally amazed after this left knee surgery you performed on July 22, 2004.
(total knee replacement) The therapist had me up walking the evening of the same day at the
hospital. I was released on Saturday 24, 2004 from the hospital. I have had virtually no
pain. Only sight discomfort.
I have and will continue to recommend this type of surgery by you (Dr. Ira Guttentag) to those
with joint needs. Thank you again for using your talent to help people with joints needs.
You make it so easy and painless.
I am looking forward to a more active life style.
Your Grateful Patient
C.M. (Mae) Burchfield
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Dear Dr. Guttentag,
How can I thank you for giving me the ability to walk again without pain. For years I struggled
and now with two total knee replacements I am able to do all the physical activity I desire.
Your surgical expertise with the new 4" incision, no cut muscles, and use of rich plasma
platelets enabled me to have a very rapid recovery. I was able to walk the day after surgery and
was hospital discharged in three days. I could walk without aids within a week. Your follow up
teams cannot be praised enough. Home physical therapy for two weeks with outstanding personnel
followed by superb physical therapy at the center thereafter. Your extraordinary support team
excels and especially Eric and Kari. I would not hesitate recommending you to any and all that
need knee or other orthopedic surgery. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Harry Bahner
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Dear Dr. Guttentag:
I would like to thank you for making it possible for me to return to my normal, active life
style. I have been able to do this as a result of the two total knee replacements performed
by you.
I must tell you that the difference in recovery time between the Oct. 2, 2003 left knee
replacement and the Feb. 20, 2004 replacement using the new mini-incision method was profound. I was ready to leave the hospital just two days after the new procedure while I stayed four days after the Oct. one. Upon returning home, I found that I was able to graduate from a walker to a quad cane in just one and one half weeks and able to walk unassisted after a total of three weeks post surgery.
I also found that certain movements such as walking up and down stairs and sitting/rising came
back much more easily and with much less pain than I experienced after the first surgery. I
was absolutely amazed at the difference. Because of this, physiotherapy was much easier for
me and I was able to stop pain medication earlier than before.
I would certainly recommend this new mini-incision procedure to any patient given the option.
Sincerely,
Edwina S. Bates
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"There are no words to describe the joy you have brought to my life after my shoulder surgery
on March 28, 2003. After finding out how bad my rotator was and during the procedure finding
out that my labrum was also in need of repair you gave a new lease on life. After rehab I have
100% use of my shoulder and it feels better than 10 years ago. Considering I am 61 years old,
I can once again throw the baseball better than most 40 year olds. Once again THANKS!"
- Eduardo Roche
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Good Morning Dr Guttentag,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Since you have done the surgery on my knee I have been pain
free for the first time since 96. It is wonderful. I am so glad I picked you. Have a great
day!
- Betty Bell
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Dear Dr Guttentag,
Words cannot begin to express my appreciation for the difference you have made my life. After
total knee replacements of both knees, I am able to enjoy my life without pain. I no longer
have to sit all the time due to severe knee pain. I am able to walk as much as I want, able
to ride a bike again, to climb a ladder and be active in my grandchild's life. I am able to
do all of the above without pain thanks to your excellent skills as a surgeon.
Your entire staff was great to work with. Everyone is so caring. I especially want to
recognize Cheryl for the excellent job she did of coordinating all of the pre-op appointments
and preparing me for the surgery. Eric was also excellent for his part. Most of all, I want
to thank you for being an excellent Orthopaedic surgeon.
Please feel free to give my name to any candidates for knee replacements that would like to
talk to someone that has had the surgery. I will be happy top share my experience with them.
Thanks again for my wonderful knees.
- Sandra Soendker
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