GET FOLLOW UP HIP X-RAYS DONE AT LEAST EVERY OTHER YEAR POST OP

[Lopsided]

Is this neck thinning exclusive to HR

No. A major problem with THR is 'stress shielding', where the bone gets weak. In a well placed and sized resurfacing, this should not happen.

I still would like to know more about the Melissa x-rays.

am I right in saying that the study which summarised on the cementless cemented device found more thinning with the cementless device?

I did not get that.

[Dannywayoflife]

The difference between the immediate post-operative ratio and the most recent radiograph was statistically significant in patients with cemented femoral components (p=0.006), but not in the group with uncemented components (p=0.173).
The number for the uncemented is defiantly bigger. I'm not sure if I'm miss understanding the data or not. As I am no surgeon that's the way I interpreted it.
As far as I've read the neck thinning in HR isnt like the stress shielding as ive read that the bone density returns to normal but the stress shielding in THR it gets less.
I suppose it could be the bone addapting to the way the force is transmitted with HR as opposed to the natural joint?

[Lopsided]

I do agree that 0.173 is a bigger number than 0.006.

But the article says:
The difference between the immediate post-operative ratio and the most recent radiograph was statistically significant in patients with cemented femoral components (p=0.006), but not in the group with uncemented components (p=0.173).

So I do not know what the numbers refer too, but it seems as though narrowing is greater for cemented.

I have read it a few times, and now I am not sure.

[Lopsided]

By the way Danny,

Here is a picture of Mr. Treacy's implant device. You will appreciate the beautiful setting of the suburbs of Birmingham.

[Dannywayoflife]

Ha I like it lop  Ronan treacy international rescue at your service!

Why carnt these medical types just put it in laymans terms!?
I wish I could just say "right doc put me back to normal and I want it to out last me!"

[Lopsided]

[Dannywayoflife]

Those reamers look knarly!!

[John C]

Hi Lop; A thought on your question about femoral diameter getting larger after resurfacing: if I understand it correctly, it is the bone density that eventually increases after resurfacing, not the diameter, which sometimes decreases. Like Danny said, this is likely due to a change in how the load forces are transmitting through the bone. An analogy that works for me is the change that we went through a  few years ago in windsurfing masts. We went from a larger diameter mast, to a smaller diameter with thicker walls, which worked out to be stronger for an equivalent weight. So, a slightly narrowed femoral neck with increased density might be viewed as similar to the narrower and stronger windsurfing masts that we have switched to.
I am attaching a web site that includes on page 5 an interesting visual portrayal of stress transfer through a femoral resurfacing. I don't mean for this to be a battle of the brands, but an interesting portrayal of how the load transfer shifts with any prosthesis. Note the tension forces that show around the lower edges of the prosthesis, which corresponds to a common area of neck thinning. Since bone grows in response to compression forces, this might be relevant. http://www.biomet.com/orthopedics/getFile.cfm?id=1165&rt=inline

Hi Danny; Like you, I am no doctor of statistician, but I am pretty sure that the study states that there is less neck narrowing in the cementless group, and that the p number does not refer to a measurement of neck narrowing, but is a statistical reference number.

[Dannywayoflife]

Vick Once again thanks for the info and please do keep up the good work and let melissa know shes in our thoughts and prayers.
Danny

[Tin Soldier]

I'm just glad I was asleep when they reamed my acetubulum. 

Lop - you sure those reamers weren't from the Thunderbirds, it's all starting to look the same to me. 

[Lopsided]

I'm just glad I was asleep when they reamed my acetubulum. 

Lop - you sure those reamers weren't from the Thunderbirds, it's all starting to look the same to me.

Both pictures came from the same web-site.

Here are pictures that show Mr. Treacy's clinic for private patients, followed by the NHS facility.

[Dannywayoflife]

Normally I'd agree with you lop the NHS facility's are normally dire but the ROH is like a private hospital mate!

[Dannywayoflife]

Once again thanks for the Gen info Vicky.