A Remarkable Hip Replacement Journey

Matt's Story

If I’m honest, I discounted that such a small town would have such a talented orthopedic team. But I was blown away not only by the quality of the work but by the speed with which I was able to get my surgeries completed. In addition to Dr. Karch’s incredible surgical team, all the Mammoth Hospital staff from recovery to physical therapy were top notch in their care and attention.

-Matt Underhill

At 47 years old, June Lake local Matt Underhill thought he was far too young for a hip replacement. But, he notes, he’s been an avid skier and mountain biker all his life, and he was starting to experience relatively constant pain.

“My hips had been bugging me for a while, but in the summer of 2024, it went from bad to worse almost overnight,” says Matt. “A friend of mine had a surgeon in San Francisco who had replaced his hips, so we drove all the way over Tioga Pass to meet him. He had a long waiting period, but I got on his list. In the meantime, I had to go to Mammoth Hospital for an X-ray and it just so happened that Dr. Mike Karch opened the door for me when I was walking in. He noticed my gait immediately. I told him, ‘I need new hips.’ And Dr. Karch said ‘I do those!’”

It seemed like it was meant to be, says Matt. The chance meeting. Dr. Karch noticing his walk. “I looked up his biography,” Matt says, “and I was able to book an appointment with him right away. He said he could do my first hip in November, and I jumped at that opportunity, because it meant he would likely be able to fit the other one in before the end of the year since I had already met my deductible. If I’d gone with the other doctor, I wouldn’t even be close to surgery yet.”

“If I’m honest,” says Matt, “I discounted that such a small town would have such a talented orthopedic team. But I was blown away not only by the quality of the work but by the speed with which I was able to get my surgeries completed. In addition to Dr. Karch’s incredible surgical team, all the Mammoth Hospital staff from recovery to physical therapy were top notch in their care and attention. My nurse Laura Panighetti was a huge gift. I nominated her for a Daisy Award.”

After two hip surgeries in late 2024, Matt, who worked hard with Mammoth Hospital’s physical therapy department, was skiing in late February 2025.

“I’m amazed,” says Matt. “Dr. Karch and his team are miracle workers. They made me feel better than I have in years.”