For internationally recognized sculptor Margo McMahon, movement has never simply been exercise—it’s an essential part of her art.

Throughout her career, Margo has created large-scale sculptures that demand exceptional strength, balance, and endurance. From carving wood and working in clay to casting bronze, her work is physically intensive. She spent years teaching drawing and sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago while completing increasingly ambitious commissions, including sculpting an entire church with the Stations of the Cross, a Celtic Oak Cross, and a twice life-size Holy Family sculpture.

Outside the studio, hiking and mountain climbing helped prepare her for the physical demands of her work.

“Hiking, mountain climbing—those things gave me the strength to lift crucibles of melted bronze and pour them into the molds, as well as the stamina to stand for long periods of time.”

When Hip Pain Stopped Everything

In 2023, while hiking in the mountains of Colorado, Margo reached a point where she simply couldn’t continue.

“At one point, my hip just said, ‘No more.'”

Knowing she couldn’t afford to lose the ability to create—or the active lifestyle that inspired her work—she contacted Dr. Richard Berger’s office.

An Efficient, Patient-Focused Experience

From her first appointment through surgery, Margo was struck by how smoothly the entire process unfolded.

“Dr. Berger and his staff were so efficient. I never waited more than 10 minutes for an appointment. Whenever I had a question, they got right back to me.”

After surgery, she experienced something she hadn’t expected.

“As soon as I woke up from surgery, I felt no pain. Within an hour, they had me walking up and down stairs.”

Returning to Art Without Missing an Opportunity

Only three months after surgery, Margo had committed to an important collaborative public art project known as the Ragdale Tree Project, where eight sculptors would each carve a different branch of a single tree celebrating the diversity of birds.

She was determined not to let her fellow artists down.

“I was very diligent with physical therapy—three times a week—and kept it up until the residency began.”

Her commitment to rehabilitation allowed her to return to the physically demanding work she loves.

Back on the Trail

Today, Margo is once again exploring the world on foot.

Over the summer following her recovery, she and her husband traveled to Namibia, where she was back hiking and enjoying the adventures that had once seemed uncertain.

Looking back, she encourages others not to wait if hip pain is limiting their lives.

“I feel like the sooner you do this, you’ll recover quicker—and the rest of your joints won’t become worn down.”

Living Without Limits

For Margo, hip replacement wasn’t simply about relieving pain—it was about preserving the ability to create meaningful art, travel the world, and continue living an active life.

Whether she’s sculpting monumental works, hiking across breathtaking landscapes, or embracing her next artistic challenge, Margo’s story is a reminder that the goal of joint replacement isn’t just getting patients back on their feet—it’s helping them return to the life that inspires them.