Meet Clay, a 66-year-old competitive runner who lives in the South Bay region of San Francisco. While many runners just run for pleasure, Clay and others in his running club compete and work with a professional support group that includes a well-known physical therapist known as the “hip whisperer” and a coach. They train under their supervision and guidance to improve their athletic performance, prevent injuries, and reduce time spent recovering from typical ailments that runners encounter. Clay credits his Physical Therapist and other runners in his running club, The West Valley Track Club, with keeping him healthy and helping him improve his competitive edge and time. “People not familiar with competitive running do not fully understand the rigors and intensity of the training that we do, even in the Masters (Over 40) Category,” he said.
“Some runners in our club are well over 70 and they still compete. Their bodies can withstand the rigors of training and competing. I started experiencing hip impingement and pain in my groin while running in my late fifties. It was not a high-pain situation, but the loss of range of motion signaled that something needed to be done,” stated Clay.
Thanks to Clay’s Physical Therapist’s familiarity with his symptoms, she recognized that he was likely a candidate for hip replacement surgery. He wasn’t initially interested in having surgery done, but because she had been so helpful to him during training, he listened to her advice and began researching orthopedic surgeons who specialized in hip replacement. Dr. Mast’s name came up and his reputation was exemplary. Upon further research, Clay discovered that Dr. Mast had performed hip surgery on many athletes who were able to return to competition. 
According to Clay, “ It is a blessing to have science and wonderful providers such as Dr. Mast that can perform surgery for such an ailment. I am back to competing and have taken third place in a difficult Norcal regional competition and an 8th in USATF Nationals Florida in my age category 65-69!”
Here is a photo of Clay from the Pacific Association-USATF Championships (all of Northern California) in Golden Gate Park.
Dr. Mast showed him an x-ray of cartilage in his hip that was badly worn and depleted. He reassured him that he would be able to run after the surgery. Previous surgeons had warned against running post-hip replacement surgery, but Dr. Mast, an athlete himself, had treated many athletes who returned to their sports successfully.
With this encouraging news, Clay scheduled the procedure and worked with Dr. Mast’s health care team and Clay’s personal Physical Therapist to prepare his body for the upcoming surgical procedure.
According to Clay, “I had a high comfort level with Dr. Mast because he had familiarity with people who have replaced their hip and understood the particular exertion and strains placed on the hip from being a windsurfer himself. He was direct and clear in his communication and confident about his abilities. His staff provided me with booklets and tips, answered my questions, and followed up with me quickly. This gave me the confidence to move forward and schedule the surgery.”
Clay spoke with several of Dr. Mast’s references which gave further reassurance about his ability to run and compete in running contests post-surgery as long as he followed the recovery instructions from Dr. Mast and his physical therapist.
According to Clay, “ It is a blessing to have science and wonderful providers such as Dr. Mast that can perform surgery for such an ailment. I am back to competing and have taken third place in a difficult Norcal regional competition and an 8th in USATF Nationals Florida in my age category 65-69!”
Clay’s story is inspirational and a testament to the power of having the right team of professionals when undergoing a significant surgery that may involve athletes and their sport. Dr. Mast has returned many athletes to their previous sport and some continue to compete!
If you or someone you know is experiencing hip impingement, loss of range of motion, or pain in the hip, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mast. You do not need to live with chronic pain, reduce your activities, or give up your favorite competitive sports.
Clay took 3rd place in his age category 65-69 on November 19, 2023.
December 9, 2023 he placed 8th in 2023 USATF Nationals in Tallahassee, Florida.
Clay’s surgery was in March 2021.
