Larry Cox

Larry Cox’s hip before surgery. Notice the lack of joint space at the top of the joint, as well as the bone spurs at the top and bottom. As well, notice the white sclerotic (hardened) bone surrounding the joint.

Larry Cox’s hip after joint replacement. Space between joints has been restored, the spurs have been removed, and the diseased bone has been replaced with a metal implant.

Getting Around

Larry Cox knows about getting around.

As President and CEO of the Memphis/Shelby County Airport Authority, Cox has spent 35 years making sure that Memphis’ greatest commodity, its airport, runs smoothly and efficiently.

His job requires that he gets around the airport’s expansive grounds and multiple buildings. When he was younger, this avid jogger and former high school football and basketball athlete was able to handle the walking with ease.

But then, in June of 2006, Cox was jogging with his brother near Greer’s Ferry Lake. A sudden, sharp pain in his right hip made jogging impossible and even walking painful.

That meant using a golf cart to get around the airport. It also curtailed one of Cox’s other passions, which is – unsurprisingly – flying Cessna airplanes.

Cox took a trip to his primary care physician, who gave a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The PCP immediately sent Cox to Campbell Clinic and to Dr. James L. Guyton. X-Rays showed that Cox had virtually no cartilage left in his right hip, that the joint was scraping bone on bone.

In January of 2007, Cox underwent surgery to receive a total hip arthroplasty (replacement), using a Smith & Nephew metal on metal total hip replacement. After three weeks of physical therapy, Cox was able to walk without a cane or crutch.

Now, Cox is back to flying Cesnas, and he swims instead of jogs. Most importantly, Cox got back to moving through his life and through his airport, without pain.

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