Patient Success Stories

When it comes to orthopedic surgery, restoring patients back to their best selves is top priority. Hear from Brad Swartz and his experience with Atlantic General Hospital's Joint Surgery Center:

Video Segment: Brad Swartz

January 2025
Brad Swartz and his wife, Ramona, moved to the Berlin area from upstate New York for warmer weather and retirement in 2022. But, neither of them has really slowed down. Ramona is a part time registered nurse in the Surgical Services Department at Atlantic General Hospital, where Brad also works part time as a special police officer.

Brad had suffered from arthritis in his left hip that continued to worsen, but he got by with cortisone shots for the longest time. He had always been very active and was concerned about losing range of motion, which can sometimes occur with hip replacement.

A former police officer who held various roles with the state of New York’s DMV traffic safety and motorcycle safety programs, Brad is a life-long motorcycle enthusiast who is usually on his feet if he’s not in the saddle; he tracks his daily step count closely and continues to teach motorcycle safety at Rommel Harley Davidson, in Salisbury.

So, when he learned from Dr. Tom Beck, an orthopedic surgeon at Atlantic General Hospital’s Joint Surgery Center, that he was a good candidate for a dual mobility hip implant he decided to schedule the first surgery of his life. And, he couldn’t be happier.

Designed for younger, more active patients, a dual mobility implant provides greater range of motion and a reduced risk of dislocation due to more strenuous use of the joint. Combined with the expert guidance and care provided by the Joint Surgery Center staff, Brad knew he was making the right decision.

Less than three months after surgery, he was back to work at the hospital and had just received the all-clear to swing his leg over a motorcycle again.

“I’m so pleased with the surgery, and with my experience,” he said. “I’m the biggest advocate for joint replacement and for Atlantic General Hospital and Dr. Beck. I tell anyone who is suffering with an arthritic hip about my experience because you don’t have to deal with that kind of pain.”