Staying off her feet is not really an option for ironworker Reggie Vanderpool, 51, of Melrose Park.  As one of only 1,000 women across the country in this profession, Vanderpool’s job requires her to climb tall skyscrapers and carry as much as 100 pounds at any given time.

Unfortunately, a disease called avascular necrosis (AVN) has kept her out of work for the past four years.  AVN is the lack of blood supply to the hip, which literally means that her hip bones were dying, causing extreme pain.  She initially tried hip resurfacing but that didn’t completely resolve her issues.  Fortunately for Vanderpool, an improved surgical approach called direct anterior hip replacement has her back on her feet and preparing to return to work.…