Is It Time for My Boyfriend to Have Hip Resurfacing?

[Pat Walter]

Hi Pat,

I just wanted to tell you that your website is extremely informative and helps cut short long an exhausting research to some folks that are in too much pain to do the actual research.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

My boyfriend was in a car accident 6 years ago.  In the accident he broke is acetabulum.  He has a lot of hardware (4 large screws) in his hip.  I was wondering, do you have anyone you recommend to perform hip resurfacing on this type of patient/situation?  We have appointments to see Dr. William B. Macaulay and Dr. Edwin Su.  I thought I would give you a shot because he is only 42 years old and he is in severe pain.  It is imperative that he holds off Total Hip Replacement for at least 10 years OR until technology gets better w/replacements.  Any wisdom or advice you can share would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Kelly

[Pat Walter]

Hi Kelly

I am sorry to hear about your boyfriend.  I don't think I can give you much advice except if Dr. Su doesn't think a hip resurfacing is recommended, I would try sending your boyfriends x-rays and story to some of the best surgeons in the world like Dr. De Smet in Belgium and/or Dr. Bose in India.  They both do very difficult and unusual surgeries.  They both give free consultations via email if you attach a copy of the x-rays in a digital format or .jpg attachment.  You can get them in a digital format or take photos of regular x-rays with a digital camera.  Hold them up to a fluorescent light or window and take photos.  That is what I did. You can also snap photos of them in the waiting room when they are in front of the x-ray light window.

Both doctors answer fairly quickly and will have a discussion with you via email.  Some of the US doctors will do that, but not too many. It is good to have opinions from several of the best in the world.  Then you know what is possible.  Many of the newer doctors don't do difficult surgeries since they are not very experienced. Dr. Su is pretty experienced so he should give you some good input.  But if you don't like what you are hearing, try De Smet and Bose.  Some insurances will cover surgery with Dr. De Smet.  He has done over 2400 hip resurfacings.

You are right that he is young for a THR, but if the pain is severe and he can't do much - you should consider a THR if a hip resurfacing is not possible.  The MOM Metal on Metal THR's are the same size as the BHR's and there usually are no restricitons with them.  Of course, there is more problem at a later point if you need a revision, but to spend your life in pain is not a good choice at such a young age.  They are getting better techniques at doing revisions.  Especially if you use the really good surgeons - not just the run of the mill orthopedic that is a jack of all trades.  The better the surgeon - the better the results of the hip whether it is a BHR or a THR. I have studies on my website talking about that.

De Smet and Bose's emails are on my doctors list on my website.

My best advice is to keep looking until you get an answer you are comfortable with - even if it is a MOM THR. Pain is terrible and he is leaving his life behind him by not getting his hip repaired.  I spent almost 10 years in pain and ended up just sitting in a chair. He will be wasteing some of the best years of his life by not getting his hip repaired.

Let me know if you have any other questions. 

Pat