The Importance of Using An Experienced Doctor and Hospital Staff

[Pat Walter]

Us old timers preach and preach about using the experienced doctors.  You can't buy experience, you earn it. I know they have to learn on someone - but does it have to be you?

As I read the posts on the Yahoo Surface Hippy Group, more and more of the people using the newer surgeons are having more post op problems.  Not all experience problems, but post op problems before the FDA approval with the experienced surgeons seemed much fewer.

Here is a story posted today.  This poor woman had problems from the day after surgery.  I certainly can't blame the surgeon and would not think of it - but for some reason there are more and more acetabular cups slipping.  There have been 3 or 4 in the last year with different doctors.  Either the doctors are not getting their angles right or don't know when to use a different type of cup to hold in certain situations.

Here is part of the story - you can join the group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/surfacehippy/and read it yourself also. It is message  #119376

Here is a copy - I hope she doesn't mind me posting it


Oh my word!!!

Went to see OS today about that clunking noise and his concern about
my pain.

He did x-rays,came in with his head down,closed the door and informed
me  the cup has slipped out of place!!!!

That nurse who moved me too fast day #2 in the hospital improperly and
caused me the beginning of my pain that never went away is apparently
responsible.Do not even have the energy to get into that.

I should have went in and gotten checked like my oS and some of you
suggested....frown.

I am so devestated,I have to recover all over again! My poor
kids,husband,and family.

I am in the hospital on a morphine drip waiting for surgery tomorrow
no later than 3pm.

You guys,I cannot believe I must go though the emotional and physical
stuff associated with this recovery.

Encouraging words so desperately needed.

Please pray for me,my children,surgery,and family.



I post this to help people understand that things don't always go perfectly, so you need to take as many variables out of the equation as possible.  I feel the best way is to use really experienced surgeons with really experienced staff at the hospital that know how to handle hip resurfacing patients.

In Belgium, they did not seem to handle us with much special care - but I guess it was enough since they have seen thousands of hip resurfacing patients.

Let's all say a prayer for this young lady and hope she will soon be on her way to recovery without pain.

Pat in Ohio
3/15/06 LBHR De Smet