Stronger Than Ever

Osteoarthritis isn’t slowing Freda Rochford down, thanks to the Lundquist Orthopedic Institute and the expertise of surgeon John Andrawis, MD.

On any given day at Coreology, a boutique fitness studio known for its tight-knit community and high-energy classes, Freda Rochford stands out. Not because of what she’s been through but because of how she moves forward. She’s upbeat, determined and unmistakably joyful—greeting instructors and classmates with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what her body is capable of doing again.

That confidence did not come easily. Rochford has hereditary osteoarthritis—a degenerative joint condition that often worsens with age. But she’s never been one to slow down.

Rochford’s symptoms began early. After the birth of her twins when she was 36, joint pain and stiffness intensified, affecting her hips, knees, hands and lower back. When she returned to her work as a dental hygienist, the osteoarthritis affected her hand and finger dexterity so much that she switched to office work at an orthodontic office—a career she enjoyed until she retired four years ago.

Rochford refused to let the pain take away the lifestyle she loved and adapted by focusing on exercise. Frequent workouts included HIIT classes, spinning, Pilates and strength training. Movement, she learned, was both medicine and mindset.

“I have always been very active,” she points out. “Exercise wasn’t optional for me; it was how I stayed functional and avoided medications for as long as possible.”

In 2019, the progression of osteoarthritis—and hereditary spinal stenosis—made daily life increasingly difficult. She walked with a limp and struggled with numbness from sciatica. The Lundquist Orthopedic Institute (ranked 35th nationally in Orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report) provides comprehensive care, and she chose Torrance Memorial Physician Network orthopedic surgeon Randolph O'Hara, MD, to perform a lumbar fusion and a laminectomy, which relieved the nerve pain. A follow-up procedure a couple of years later eliminated Rochford’s sciatica.

But her hip pain persisted, along with a significant limp—affecting everyday activities like getting ready for work. That’s when she began working with orthopedic surgeon John Andrawis, MD, a hip and knee specialist with Torrance Memorial Physician Network.

“I trusted him completely,” she says. “Dr. Andrawis explained everything—what he was going to do, what recovery would look like, what I needed to do to succeed.”

Rochford with Dr. Andrawis.

In May 2021, Dr. Andrawis performed Rochford’s right total hip replacement. After going through physical therapy, the results were life-changing. “The pain and limp were gone,” she recalls. “I felt like a new woman.”

Over the next three years, Dr. Andrawis also performed full replacements on Rochford’s left and right knees as steroid injections became less effective. Each surgery followed a similar path: clear communication, meticulous care, physical therapy, and a steady return to movement and exercising, including swimming and water aerobics in her backyard pool.

According to Dr. Andrawis, Rochford’s success is no accident. “Freda is a great example of how mindset, preparation and staying active can dramatically improve outcomes. Her commitment to exercise before and after surgery helped her recover faster and return to the activities she loves.”

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 23% of adults in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. While it most commonly appears later in life, genetics, joint structure, prior injuries, pregnancy-related changes and repetitive strain can accelerate its onset. Weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees and the spine are especially vulnerable.

“There’s no way to reverse osteoarthritis,” Dr. Andrawis says. “But you can absolutely preserve function, reduce pain and maintain quality of life with the right approach. You’re giving people the ability to walk again—that’s life-changing.”

Dr. Andrawis recommends low-impact exercise, strength training, weight management and physical therapy for those living with osteoarthritis. And when conservative treatments no longer work, surgical intervention may lead to a greatly improved quality of life.

For Rochford, having a physician she trusts has made all the difference. She has regained confidence, strength and the freedom to keep moving forward. As she looks ahead, knowing a left hip replacement may eventually be needed, she remains optimistic.

“If you know osteoarthritis runs in your family, stay active,” she advises. “It makes a world of difference. I’m living proof that you can keep moving—and keep living well.”

Learn more at www.TMOrthoCare.org.