Jan. 24/'11 HR in Ontario

[blinky]

Yes, do get your X-rays together and send them out for a second opinion. I'd send them to other docs who do resurfacing, and be ready to send them to OS in your area who do regular THR, too. Have you only talked to one OS? There doesn't seem to be an absolute standard for when a doctor will do a hip replacement. For HR, some docs are "braver" about when they will do it, based on their experience. For THR, some act based on X-rays, others base their decision more on pain.


If you are in a lot of pain, I bet you can find someone who will help you; he may not be a resurfacing doctor, but I think you will find someone.


Good luck.

[LMS]

From what I understand, if I want a second opinion in my area, it means I'm not staying with my current surgeon & will be appointed to another of my choice or their choice & it means starting all over again.  And the wait times to be seen for a consult are long. 

[Johng]

Sorry to read about the frustration of your Ontario HR experience. I turned to Dr. DeSmet, Dr. Gross, and Dr. Bose after three maddening years of seeking help from Ontario specialists. I was amazed and gratified by the responsiveness and professionalism of these docs. At the very least, you will come away with a sense that you have had the careful consideration of top surgeons. By the by, Dr Christine Young of Scarborough General has helped some Ontarians access OHiP funding for HR in the States following the hospital's discontinuation of HR. I was not a candidate because ohip  noted that was "not on crutches yet".  It seems like you have been suffering for so long that a conversation with Dr. young's office might be worthwhile. I bit the bullet and flew to Belgium for bilateral HR with Dr. DeSmet. I wish you well.

[LMS]

I looked into it some more & there are only 2 surgeons in Ottawa that performs HR, mine & his partner at the same hospital.  I also found a report on hip surgeries in Ontario (& other provinces) & it's true, for the size I would need, it's not available.


Oh well... I was chatting with a client who asked me if I had seen this video of a martial arts person (can't remember if it was a man or woman) & he/she had a THR & was doing the splits & everything else, showing that you can do many things just like if you had your natural hip.  I think it was a man because I remember saying it must've been a larger ball (fewer chance of dislocation).


Anyhoo... got a phone call yesterday from the Total Joint Assessment Clinic for an appointment in a week.  It was a bit backwards, the new policy now is that you see them first & they triage you & decide if you need to see a surgeon/have surgery or not.  But we didn't know & I was already a patient of Dr. B's.


Regardless, I still need to see them if I want the province to pick up the surgery bill.  I sure can't afford it.

[Torontogirl]

Lms
I live in Toronto and I had both hips done 3 yrs ago by Dr. Desmet in Belgium! You can send your X-rays to him and Dr. Bose for an opinion of whether you are still a candidate for HR. Desmet uses Conserve plus and the size is not an issue there. I have nothing but positives to say about my experience with him, and Like you, was similiarly frustrated with the long wait and putting off of surgery, though I don't think I waited as long as you! There seems to be a lack of desire to operate unless you are totally crippled with pain and unable to do anything and for many that means you are too late for a HR. FYI My cost for surgery was $30,000 for both hips and that included all medical costs and 10 days of daily nurse and physio visits at the hotel after surgery. Airfare and hotel costs were seperate Hope this helps!

[LMS]

Thank you.


Yes, I find it so frustrating that the doctors won't listen to our pleas.  I'd been begging for 4 years to get an mri done for both hips after Dr. B ordered one & the hospital dropped the ball on it.  And then 2 years begging to be put back in contact with him but my GP wouldn't do it, neither did her replacement 8 months ago.  And because of taking stronger OTC pain killers & then prescription, it wrecked my gut, making me violent'y ill.


It just frustrates the heck out of me that our voices only get heard once it's too late & blatantly obvious.


I wish I could afford to pay out of pocket but I can't afford the $10k to $15k bill.

[Johng]

As blinky pointed out, many surgeons see pain and quality of life as deciding factors for THR. Toronto hospitals are allowing PT's to screen so that patients are getting THR as soon as four months from the point of referral from the family doc.  Hang in there!

[LMS]

Leaving for my assessment at the TJAC.  And of course my hips are feeling not too bad today.  Got out of bed barely able to walk/support myself & now that I'm ready to go, only the bad hip (L) is a bit sore.


Last night my husband actually heard my hip grind when I went to move on the bed, he found it a weird sound.

[LMS]

Pat, should I start a new thread in the THR section or do I continue on this one & it gets moved to the THR area?

[LMS]

I'll go ahead & write about the appointment this morning, in case someone is going through the same as me in the Ottawa area.


I arrived 30 min early to register at the West registration office (1st level, so downstairs) for my appointment.  (They ask you to do this)  Because I had already seen my surgeon, signed the paperwork & put on the list for the 6 month surgery wait, my appointment at the Total Joint Assessment clinic (Queensway Carleton Hospital) was brief since they didn't need to triage/assess me.


I met with an Advanced Practice Nurse (super nice lady) & she introduced me to an artificial hip.  My first thoughts were "Hmmm the whole thing is small, the ball is so tiny... oh wait, THAT spikey thing will be IN the femur... oh that is actually pretty BIG!"  I didn't dare touch it, fearing that it was going to make it all too real.


Based on my age & my desire to get back to most of the activities I used to do, I was told that a revision will happen in 15 years approx. & possibly another 15 - 20 years after.  I'll be contacting my surgeon to let him know the activities I wish to resume & that'll help him choose which material to use (ceramic on ceramic or metal on polyethylene) & the ball size.


We went over the risks (went over them with my surgeon already) & I still want to go ahead, the pain & quality of life are too awful right now. (33 years of this is long enough)  The risks with regaining a quality of life vs continuing living like this are worth it.


We also went over what to expect from now until after surgery, she gave me a sheet with them all listed.  So now I just wait for the phone calls from the Riverside Hosp. rehab to let me know when to get assessed, when they will come to my house to check it out & my exercise equipment.  From the surgeon's assistant for the surgery date, from one of the hospitals for the information session & for the pre op.


So in the meantime, I'll continue taking care of my health needs before surgery.  I'm already on the ball with it & started this back in September.  Still have 3 things to take care of.  And set up an easier way for my sons to look after my horses for me.  And finish all the house renovations.  I gather 6 months will go by quickly enough.

[Pat Walter]

I am glad you have some answers and a plan. Hopefully the 6 months will go by fast.

If you want to start a new story on the THR section, that would help anyone else interested in THRs to learn about your story and eventually your surgery.  Your new posts will still be seen on the list of new posts and I am sure everyone will keep talking to you since this is a very supportive group.

Pat

[LMS]

Awesome!  Thanks Pat.   

[LMS]

Wow, 6 months reduced to 6 weeks!
I just received a phone call, there was a cancellation & was I interested in getting my THR on June 20th?


So... June 20th it is!


So much to do, excited & nervous at the same time.

[Quig]

Whooooo Hoooo! Congrats!

[badbone]

Great news!!!

I hope you are pain free soon!!

[LMS]

Thanks guys.


I'm bouncing all over the map emotions wise.


So excited because it means no more excruciating pain, finding normalcy again.


Nervous because it's a major surgery of course & the risks involved of course.


Bummed out because I had in my mind for a fall surgery, there is so much to do & it means my summer is gone.  I won't be able to play (training & activities off property for the first time) with my horses & dog.  As well as no kayaking.   


But I am not complaining!