Regis grad Bill Wampler’s

Buckshot Magazine, March 2020

Joint replacement: not your grandfather’s surgery As countless Americans —maybe even you — know, arthritis can make every step a pain. Over the years, wear-and-tear on knee and hip joints can eventually make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, and get in and out of chairs. When this pain persists despite conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication, it may be time to consider joint replacement surgery.

People are often nervous about having surgery, that fear is understandable. However, joint replacement is a very safe procedure and one of the most common operations performed. And it can be life-changing for people who have been living with chronic pain.

New materials mean artificial joints are lasting longer than in the past. And in the case of hip surgery, new techniques have made recovery easier and less painful. In short: This isn’t your grandfather’s hip replacement.

How it’s done In a joint replacement procedure, an orthopedic surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage, and replaces them with parts made of metal, ceramic, plastic or polymers. The artificial joint improves function and reduces pain. Often, patients can’t believe how much better they feel.

Risks Risks with hip or knee replacement procedures are similar to those of other surgeries. They include the possibility of developing an infection or blood clots. In the case of hip replacement, there’s also a chance of a fracture during surgery or dislocation after surgery. And because even artificial joints can wear out, there’s a chance that the procedure would need to be repeated at some point in the future.

Recovery Most patients go home after one or two nights in the hospital and some even leave the same day. Usually, people go home using a walker and transition to crutches or a cane for a few weeks after surgery. Most daily activities such as shopping, driving and housekeeping can be resumed within six weeks after a knee or hip replacement. To get the most out of the procedures, patients need to stretch and strengthen their new joints. A physical therapist will help patients begin those exercises in the hospital the day of surgery. Physical therapy is an essential part of getting function back and maximizing a patient’s recovery after surgery.

Results Most people experience pain relief and overall improvement in their quality of life after surgery. And thanks to new materials, artificial joints are lasting longer than in the past — up to 20 or 30 years in some cases.

People suffering from joint pain often give up parts of their lives because of discomfort. After surgery, they’re able to do things like garden and travel and play with their grandkids.

To learn more about joint replacement surgery, including information on patient education classes to help decide if surgery is right for you, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.

LAST CHANCE TO DANCE Regis grad Wampler shooting for NCAA tourney

By Spencer Flaten

Bill Wampler is hoping for a bit of déjà vu this March. Well, maybe not exactly. The Regis graduate has already lived through a Selection Sunday celebration with the Wright State men’s basketball team. But if it were to happen again this March, the circumstances would be entirely different.

Two years ago, Wampler was just a redshirt forward for the Raiders. When Wright State’s named flashed across the television screen on one of the most hallowed days on the basketball calendar, he knew he wouldn’t be participating in the NCAA tournament. He’d be stuck on the bench for the 14th-seeded Raiders’ matchup with Tennessee.

But things are different this year. Wampler doesn’t just play for Wright State — he stars.

And for one of the Horizon League’s best seniors, it’s now or never if he wants to finally move to the beat in the Big Dance.

“I listen to JJ Redick’s podcast almost every day, and he says one of the things that haunts him is never winning a national championship,” Wampler said. “My goal has been to go to the NCAA tournament, so I think if I don’t get to go there as a player, it would probably haunt me for the rest of my life.”

And for Wampler’s part, he’s doing everything in his power to make it happen, with good effect.

Through Wright State’s first 28 games this season, they’ve won 23. They have a chance late in February to lock up the top seed in the Horizon League tournament and put themselves in position to earn the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. Through those 28 games, Wampler is second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per night. His 4.4 rebounds per game are fourth on the team. The two-time All-Northwest first team selection helped the Raiders earn votes in the AP Top 25 poll in February.

“It’s great, I feel like I’m the best basketball player I’ve ever been in my entire life right now,” he said. “I think I’m more skilled than I ever have been, just from the work that we’ve put in.”

PHOTO BY MARISA WOJCIK Billy Wampler, pictured while at Eau Claire Regis, jumps up for a basket on Fall Creek during the WIAA Division 4 boys basketball sectional semifinal Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Zorn Arena.

Of course, it’s not exactly a surprise that Wright State is running rampant over the Horizon League this winter. The Raiders were the No. 1 seed in the conference last year, and had a wealth of experience coming back with unfinished business.

The Raiders were the favorite to take the Horizon League’s bid to the NCAA tournament last year, but lost the conference championship game to Northern Kentucky, 77-66. They had to settle for the NIT instead of the NCAA tournament, and lost to Clemson in the first round.

“It wasn’t as bad for me because I knew I had another season, another shot at it with a lot of guys coming back,” Wampler said. “But it was tough, because for those seniors it was the end, and they taught me the ropes at Wright State — what to do, the culture — so it was hard to see those guys go. But this year is a little different, a little more emotional because I know it’s my last chance.”

If this winter’s body of work is anything to go on, the Raiders are on their way to righting those wrongs. They’re 13-2 in their first 15 Horizon League games and could earn a double-bye in the Horizon tournament. If they do, they’d only need to win two tournament games to punch their ticket to March Madness.

Whatever it takes, Wampler just wants to see the Raiders slotted into the bracket on Sunday, March 15.

“It’s something I want to experience again, but this time it would mean more because I’m actually playing and not just practicing,” he said. “It would pretty much be a dream come true for me. ... It would mean the world.”

But last year taught Wright State that nothing is for certain in late February and early March.

“You feel a sense of urgency. You want to enjoy the moment, but also work hard to get to the NCAA tournament,” Wampler said.

PHOTO BY MARISA WOJCIK Billy Wampler puts up a shot against Whitefish Bay Dominican in the 2015 WIAA Division 4 state semifinals at the Kohl Center in Madison.

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Wampler’s Wright State career hasn’t been the longest — he transferred to the school from Drake in 2017 — but he has become known for more than just basketball in Dayton, Ohio.

Wampler opened up about his struggles with mental health in a 2018 interview with the Dayton Daily News, becoming an advocate for those in the same boat. He revealed he battled depression throughout his high school years and while leading Regis to the state tournament in 2015.

Things got better after he found a home at Wright State, and now he wants to help others through the same issues.

“It’s been good for me, more than anything else, just because I can talk about it more, talk about what I go through. Just the other day, a kid’s dad came up to me and told me his son has ADHD and said I have had an impact on his life. He even said he shed a tear when I walked out on senior night because it was probably the last time he was going to see me play,” Wampler said. “Just impacting people’s lives is probably the most positive thing, and being there and knowing I can help somebody with something simple like a high-five or responding to a DM on Instagram.

“It means the world, I definitely like being outspoken about it just to help everybody feel like they can be accepted and that it’s OK to be who you are. That’s what I like to say, be happy with yourself, no matter what the circumstances are.”

Wise words from a man who managed to overcome a lot when he got a fresh start with the Raiders.

“The year he sat out (after transferring) was a good year for him. As a basketball player, it was. And as a man, it was,” Wright State coach Scott Nagy told the Dayton Daily News. “He’s been a joy to coach.”

It has given Wampler purpose beyond his life in basketball. But however things shake out with the Raiders over the course of the next month, this might not be the final season of Wampler’s basketball career. If possible, he wants to pursue playing professionally, with an eye toward the leagues overseas.

“It’s a great opportunity to go over there and play professionally, because you really can’t beat playing basketball for money,” he said. But first, he wants a chance to dance.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Billy Wampler, pictured at Drake, grabs a rebound away from Iowa State guard Deonte Burton during the first half Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa.