"Doc, you've given me my life back."

Granville, Iowa, native Paul Von Arb had his first surgery at age 91. No “simple” surgery, mind you. Paul had a total hip replacement.

And just as this was Paul’s first surgical procedure … it was also the first hip replacement surgery at Orange City Area Health System. He and a 30-year-old young lady were our first to get “new hips” in our Surgery Center on October 8, 2025. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Nelson now performs this important surgery two weeks each month in Orange City.

What did Paul say to Dr. Nelson following his surgery?

“Doc, you’ve given me my life back.”

We asked Paul to talk a bit about his life leading up to this “new lease on life” – and since that day in our hospital…

Paul grew up in Granville, the sixth of 15 kids, and spent his teenage years milking cows for his dad. After serving in the U.S. Army, he came back to the area, married his sweetheart Pauline, and moved to the farm – spending the rest of his days farming 240 acres until his wife died two years ago.

Now Paul lives in a house in town. But he’s far from home-bound.

“I meet my buddies at the café every morning,” says Paul, fondly. “You got to get out and live life. I eat a good breakfast there … then snack the rest of the day.”

Is that his secret to staying so young and vibrant?

Paul credits hard work and a good attitude for his long and healthy life. He also acknowledges that family, friends, church, community ... and a great health system … have helped him get back to doing what he loves.

For years, Paul’s hip gave him trouble. Possibly due to an old injury, he simply put off getting treatment for the pain. “I just kept thinking it would get better,” he smiles. “But then overnight, at age 90, it got real bad.”

Paul started with an injection, which worked for awhile. But then he had X-rays done, and that’s when the medical team stepped in … to help get him his step back.

“The doc looked at my X-rays and said ‘I grade an X-ray from 1 to 10. And you’re a 13.’ It was pretty bad I guess!” recalled Paul.

Being this was Paul’s first surgery (ever), he was surprised at the care he got when they were “getting me ready.”

“There were so many nurses and such, I thought ‘Holy cow, this many people for surgery?’ But it was great. You get personal care. They come in and talk to you.”

Paul said he recovered in the Orange City hospital for about 30 hours.

“I said that afternoon (after the surgery), that there’s no way I’m going to get up and walk tonight. But they got me up and walking, and then the next day I think they had me walk the hall three times,” he remarked.

At 3:00 that afternoon, his daughter Paula was called and told to “come get him.”

So he went home with a walker, and was told to use it for two weeks.

“They said I need to use it so I don’t fall,” he chuckled.

After the two weeks, Paul had a follow-up with Dr. Nelson.

“The doctor turned me loose!” said Paul. “He said I’m good to go, and gave me some exercises to do at home.”

At the time of this interview, Paul explained that he was in his “second regiment” of the exercises. He walks (with the cane he was using before the surgery) … and drives himself. To the café. Every morning.

When asked if he had any final thoughts, Paul paused and simply said, “Everybody talks about the Orange City hospital. They are so good to me. At 91, make sure you keep that hospital going strong.”