Unable to walk due to severe hip pain, Christian Montes finds help at the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso Orthopaedic Clinic
After giving birth to her second child in 2019, Christina Montes began to suffer from excruciating hip pain. The pain gradually became debilitating, and eventually she found herself unable to walk.
After about four years of suffering with the pain, she got a referral from her doctor to see Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso orthopaedic surgeon Adam Adler, M.D.
“My pain was so bad. I had been dealing with it for a while. Finally, the doctor I had at the time gave me a referral to go see Dr. Adler,” Montes said.
From the first time Montes saw Dr. Adler, she began to feel hope that she’d be able to walk without pain. She felt comforted by Dr. Adler and his staff.
When Dr. Adler first saw Montes, she couldn’t walk a few steps without experiencing terrible pain. At the young age of 33, she was wheelchair bound. Montes had previously sought care in Mexico and was told her pain was secondary to hip dysplasia, a condition where the ball at the top of the thighbone doesn’t fit correctly into the socket of the hip, because the hip did not form correctly. However, she never received treatment.
“When Mrs. Montes arrived at our Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso Orthopaedic Surgery and
Rehabilitation Clinic, wheelchair bound, she was unable to perform daily activities, such as tying her shoes, without pain,” Dr. Adler said. “At its worst, the pain prevented her from even sitting for long periods. She wasn’t able to get comfortable. With two small children at home, the extra stress and challenges she faced also took an emotional toll.”
Upon examination and review of X-rays, Dr. Adler found that Montes had severe degenerative changes to both hips, relatively uncommon for a patient so young, secondary to developmental hip dysplasia; a diagnosis often made around the time of birth. Dr. Adler recommended total replacement of both hips.
“Dr. Adler and his staff walked me through what would happen during the surgery and afterward,” Montes said. “I was already very comfortable with Dr. Adler because everyone spoke so well of him.”
Montes underwent her first hip replacement in January 2024. In April, she underwent a second surgery.
Both were successful.
“Once I came out of surgery, the medical staff got me up and had me walking almost immediately. The pain was gone,” Montes said. “During physical therapy, I worked on balance and strength training.”
By the end of 2024, Montes had returned to normal activities, no longer using any type of assistance devices to walk. She says she’s now able to live her life comfortably and free of pain. Farmer spoke this past December during Lighting Campus for Hope at Texas Tech Health El Paso. An annual holiday tradition, Lighting Campus for Hope raised cancer-prevention awareness and $255,000 to provide 1,350 life-saving cancer screenings for residents of our Borderplex.
“I’m happy because now I can safely care for my children. I now live independently and without pain,” Montes said. “I recommend Dr. Adler and the Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Clinic at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso to anyone suffering from pain and having problems walking. Their first-class patient care has been a true blessing for me and my family.”
Total Hip Arthroplasty
Purpose – Total Hip Arthroplasty is performed to relieve pain and restore function in patients with severe hip joint damage, often due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, or other degenerative conditions.
Procedure – The surgery involves removing the damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial implant made of metal, ceramic, or plastic components. The implant mimics the natural joint, allowing smoother movement.
Dr. Adler uses a surgical technique that doesn’t cut through muscle, which helps early recovery.
Recovery and Rehabilitation – Most patients stay in the hospital for 1–3 days and begin walking the day of or day after surgery.
Longevity of Implants – Modern hip implants last 15–25 years, depending on factors like implant materials, patient activity level, and overall health. Younger, more active patients may require revision surgery later.
Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso is our region’s largest multi-specialty group practice, featuring over 250 subspecialists dedicated to delivering world-class patient care. To consult with its physicians or refer a patient, visit ttpelpaso.com.
YOU CAN HELP
At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we're committed to growing our own health care heroes and changing the state of health care in our Borderplex. For more information about how to help, please contact andrea.tawney@ttuhsc.edu or craig.holden@ttuhsc.edu or visit ttuhscep.edu/elpaso/ia/giving/.
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