Barbara Moscrop has a matching set of hips after surgeries two years and 1,200 miles apart, but her robotic-assisted procedure at Methodist Midlothian Medical Center was unmatched.
“This experience was far better than the first hip,” Barbara says, referring to her 2024 surgery in Las Vegas, where she taught elementary school for many years. “It was above and beyond anything I could have imagined.”
That’s partly because the Waxahachie retiree was the first patient at Methodist Midlothian to undergo a robotic-assisted joint replacement with the Mako SmartRobotics platform.
“I felt extremely lucky about that,” the 73-year-old says. “I really credit that with the speed of my recovery.”
Barbara also credits the orthopedics team at Methodist Midlothian for an unparalleled experience.
“The care I got was unbelievable,” Barbara says. “Such attention. I can’t say enough about the hospital.”
PUTTING TRUST IN TEAM
Osteoarthritis had made Barbara’s life miserable for years, starting with her left hip, which she had replaced while living in Nevada.
Shortly after that surgery, she moved to North Texas to be closer to her children and grandchildren after her retirement.
“Almost immediately after I had the first one done in 2024, I recognized the signs in my right hip,” she says. “It was the little things, like tying my shoes or getting in and out of a car.”
Hearing good things about Methodist Midlothian, Barbara sought out a meeting with Edward Mairura, MD, orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at the hospital. She’s glad she did.
“The minute I met him, I felt really comfortable with him,” she says. “I felt a level of trust right away because he listened to me.”
Barbara jumped at the chance when Dr. Mairura suggested she could benefit from robotic technology that had just been added to the hospital’s orthopedic toolbox.
“I’m pretty fearless,” she says. “Once I make up my mind to trust the doctors, I give it over.”
Barbara says that trust was well-placed.
From sports injuries to chronic orthopedic conditions, our team offers complete care to relieve pain and restore an active lifestyle. Visit MethodistHealthSystem.org
CELEBRITY TREATMENT
Being the first Mako patient at Methodist Midlothian made Barbara a celebrity of sorts before her surgery in February 2026.
“I felt kind of like a movie star,” she says. “Because I was the first one, there were a bunch of people watching. There were like 15 extra people in there.”
Robotic platforms give orthopedic surgeons unprecedented precision by using preoperative CT scans to help guide the procedure.
“It helps customize the patient’s surgery,” Dr. Mairura says. “You’re able to get a CT scan to personalize the implants based on the patient’s anatomy. It’s a pretty vital tool.”
Dr. Mairura (third from left) helps lead the orthopedic team at Methodist Midlothian.
Feedback from the Mako’s sensors also gives the surgeon controlling its robotic arm extra precision, dramatically decreasing the risk of cutting ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
Another major advance in hip replacements involves approaching the joint from the front, or anterior, instead of the posterior, leaving intact the largest muscle in the body: the gluteus maximus.
“Barbara is certainly ahead of the curve in her recovery,” Dr. Mairura says. “She doesn’t need physical therapy or any narcotic pain medications. The anterior approach does make a difference.”
After one night in the hospital, Barbara was back on her feet and headed home to Waxahachie.
Barbara moved to North Texas to be closer to her granddaughter, Amila, and her grandson, Amir.
‘NOT AFRAID ANYMORE’
The difference between her recovery from the first surgery and the second was like night and day, Barbara says.
“Get through the first week, and you’ll be golden,” she advises others in her situation. “After five days, I was able to get away from my walker. It was incredible!”
Now the proud grandmother keeps busy taking care of her grandkids, and she’s finally confident enough to drive again and even consider a walk in the woods, something she hasn’t been able to do for years.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt confident enough to go for a hike,” she says. “It’s coming back so quickly, and I’m not afraid anymore.”
Connect With Methodist