Baseball Hall of Famer shares his joint replacement journey with the Chippewa Valley

A Major League Baseball Hall of Famer visited the Chippewa Valley Tuesday to share his joint replacement journey.

Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench spoke at the joint pain seminar at OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona.

Bench underwent total hip replacement in his right hip in 2004.

He discussed his options with his surgeon and received a Stryker hip implant.

After undergoing the procedure, Bench was able to realize his lifestyle recovery goals and get back to his active life without hip pain.

"We're really getting word out there that you don't have to live with pain. You can have a hip replacement. One, two days most in the hospital and you are ready to regain your life, and be with your grandchildren, do all of the things you want to do," said Johnny Bench.

Bench was a 14-time All-Star with 10 Gold Gloves. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.