Dr. Prittchet

[cwg]

Chuckle- I think Steve L's comment about 'dodging the bullet" is fine.. I also don't think it ruins Dr Pritchett's reputation and huge experience.
That being said, my surgeon did take xrays and worried about angles, in 2007.
Whatever..

My reason for not going to Pritchett just yet is I can start,  with no drive and for free, with Dr Su.

Both Doctors are in my second and third opinion choices.

I think ALL the doctors names who are mentioned here should be very grateful. No doubt they know about this site.

[stevel]

Baby Barista:

I meant "dodging a bullet" because several steep cups were installed by Dr. Pritchett during this period, whereas Dr. Su has recently published results for 925 resurfacings from 2004 to 2009 and of the 12 revisions (1.3 %), there is no mention of steep cups.  See the results on the new information page on this website.  Dr. Gross also recently posted results for 2000 plus resurfacings with similarly low revisions and/or complications.
Ask Dr. Pritchett for his results and examine revisions and complications.
I have to admit, I did not ask Dr. Su for results before I went for surgery.
During the Summer 2008, I also found on Keith Brewster's yahoo surface hippy website, message no. 104629 (nerve damage, foot drop) for a patient from Juneau, message no. 131434 comparing first hip resurfacing by Dr. Pritchett and second hip resurfacing by Dr. Gross for another patient from Juneau and several other negative messages about Dr. Pritchett.  Check it out.

[Baby Barista]

I've seen the self reported studies by Dr. Su and Dr. Gross. I've also seen a preliminary numbers from Dr. Pritchett. But more importantly, I have FOIA'd records from state medical boards for a number of different doctors across the country. While the stories shared on this website and others are invaluable, I would not take anonymous posts as gospel. You might be surprised what you find when you start digging through official records.

[stevel]

Some of these stories are corroborated by local physical therapists.
When one of the PT recommends going to the East Coast for hip resurfacing surgery, what does that imply?
After all the PT's, see the end results of hip resurfacing surgeries, good or bad.

[Luanna]

Here is a self report by sixstring about how his physician, Dr. Gross and others did not have access to the machines they use now to ensure cup angles. They do now and are able to measure angle before closing up.

Sixstring:

"I got a right hip resurfacing using the Biomet Magnum Recap by Dr. Gross in SC in June 2006.  The hip functions well other than frequent clunking/shifting when the hip is extended (standing/walking); the clunking causes no pain. I am a very active 59 year old male, 5'-8", 163 lbs....

In February 2011, I had blood levels of chromium and cobalt measured on my own - Dr. Gross did not suggest it.  Cr was 38 mcg/l ("normal" <1.4mcg/l) and Co was 81 mcg/l ("normal" <0.5 mcg/l), both extremely high.  I reported this to Dr. Gross who asked me to have them rechecked with a lab he uses - results there were virtually identical.  (Note: mcg/l means micrograms/liter; one lab measured serum metal levels and one measured plasma levels with very little difference between the two.) 

I talked to Dr. Gross after the elevated blood metal levels were confirmed.  He said my cup inclination angle is ~ 60 degrees (optimum is closer to 40 degrees) which is associated with excessive wear, probably due to edge loading of the cup.  He said steep inclination angles weren't known to be a problem in 2006 when I had the resurfacing, and that he didn't have a way then to set the angle during the operation.  He now uses an intra-operative x-ray to measure the angle at which the cup is placed and now never has cup angles > 50 degrees.  I recommend reading Dr. Gross's article on Acetabular Component Inclination Angle on his website ( newbielink:http://www.grossortho.com/ [nonactive]). Given that my hip is functioning well, he didn't feel my blood metal levels were a serious health issue, and said the options were to continue to track metal levels, get an MRI to check surrounding tissues for signs of metallosis, or to revise the cup."

Luanna

[stevel]

CWG,

One local PT has recommended the East Coast for hip resurfacing surgery.
He apparently has worked with patient(s) of Dr. Gross.
He did not work with me (another PT at the same practice did) but he knows that I went to Dr. Su in New York.
I don't know if he has worked with patients of other East Coast Drs. (such as Dr. Mont in Baltimore).
He has worked with several patients of Dr. Pritchett, who had complications.
He said Dr. Amstutz, Los Angeles, CA retired recently, and he does not know any other West Coast Drs. that he would recommend.

[cwg]

Okay- You have my attention. However, one or two PT persons at the same clinic, does not alarm all my bells.
PTs from all over your area, would ring the bell.

Also, is this current stuff?
You obviously? feel strong/ly about all of this, or why would you bother writing?

To be frank, I find 2700 BHRs very impressive, but at the same time I find that a huge number. That does worry me a bit.
In my case, I believe I had an unnecessary BHR, year 2007.

From reading about other person's stories here, and their much worse problems pre- op, I realize mine was  premature.. Ridiculous as this may sound, my back may have been the bigger issue.
And the BHR was a new "trendy" option.

Never mind.. I had the BHR, and things got worse all around, and now I am facing other things due to high ion levels

Hence my checking on a second opinion in December.. some where.

You are quite committed with your thread, which keeps my attention.
At the same time, I think one learns from his/her mistakes

Do you CURRENTLY hear about "stuff"

Thank you

[stevel]

CWG,

The only recent item I heard from the local PT, was that one hip resurfacing patient of Dr. Pritchett continues to have pain.
I suppose you could call Patrick Ripp at Juneau Physical Therapy (907) 586-5951 and ask him for more details about why he recommends going to the East Coast for hip resurfacing surgery.

I also corresponded via email with a prospective patient from Juneau who has done her research and has scheduled surgery with Dr. Pritchett in a couple of weeks.

I question the reported 2700 hip resurfacings when his own website (FAQ) states that he has completed 1200 (both BHR's and Conserve Plus) since being trained for the BHR in 2006.
He did complete hip resurfacings extending back to the 1980's before beginning BHRs in 2006, but how does this total 2700?

[Luanna]

Hi Steve,
His website is not up to date. I was the one who got the 2700 number from him and his staff directly just a couple of weeks ago. The numbers on Pat's site here are accurate.

I'm glad that you are happy with your choice of surgeon. I've heard very good things about Dr. Su.

Best regards,
Luanna

[cwg]

Hi Luanna- Quick note in this doc thread- Just to let you know I was to see him yesterday but cancelled the appointment (with an outrageously wonderful secretary/nurse) for various reasons.
Am also not seeking  second/third opinions, just yet .
Reason being, all my tests show perfect cup placement no pseudotumours etc. And the two pros I saw here in Vancouver have nothing invested in protecting themselves. Things really are ok ... so far

I believe you are quite right in that Dr Pritchett agrees that high metal levels can happen even without "obvious" things like cup angle etc. I will be curious to read what he says regarding high levels

I have my own thoughts about this, mostly that I had not strengthened enough, and little particles can slip out- whatever- am working 5 days a week on this and feeling better, stronger.
Yes 5 years after my BHR there is still room for improvement.

Luanna, Dr Pritchett will be the one I speak with about this, at some point. He is a pro,  with  heaps of experience. All of you "Pritchett groupies" have good reason to be- In my opinion

[Luanna]

Hi cwg,
Good to hear from you. The outrageously wonderful nurse is most likely Susan. She's great.

I'm hoping that some new substantial research findings will be presented at the Feb. conference in San Francisco. From what Dr. Pritchett mentioned at my last checkup most of the serious and candid talk between surgeons goes on after conference hours at dinners etc. That sounds right to me. I attended lots of conferences when I was an academic and it was true that we'd talk more openly about our research, hot topics in our field, and our thinking with colleagues after conference hours.

So glad to hear that you are feeling stronger and better. Those are both excellent things to be feeling. Keep up the good work and please share your progress.

I'm very, very, very pleased with my surgery and the results and I feel blessed that I just happened on to Dr. Pritchett by chance. I sure got lucky!!

Luanna

[cwg]

It was "Helen"- smile
ALL of us , no matter our work, speak more thruthfully "after hours". Of course-

Anyway, I'm certain Pritchett Su and everyone mentioned here are good value. Mistakes and all are great opportunities to learn and improve, if not perfect things.

Have to say though, when put on hold and listening to the 'muzak' as I wait for a person to get back on, the muzak is now one big promo for the clinic and orthopedic procedures etc. Kinda turned my stomache.

Okay, I will end my part of this thread here. Looking forward to Feb conference thoughts ideas or results.


Cheers

[Baby Barista]

Just wanted to note that I have confirmed with both Swedish Medical Center and Dr. Pritchett himself, that since 2009 he has used intraoperative x-rays with image enhancement, to ensure proper cup placement before surgical closure.

[Luanna]

Yes. It showed up on my bill and I paid for it - so I'm assuming it was done. :) Good for you for checking. I didn't even know the right questions to ask at my surgery date. Now I do.

Baby Barista - your date is getting closer. Do you know what brand(s) of implants you will be getting? Just curious.

Luanna

[hernanu]

It shows in his work, from what I've seen here, baby barista - sounds like he's going to do a good job with you.

[Baby Barista]

I will be getting the BHR. My understanding, is that except in unique cases (like Luanna's ;-) or per the patient's request, resurfacings conducted at Swedish Orthopedic are now uniformly BHR's. It has to do with their proven performance and what I'm told is an agreement with Smith and Nephew.

[Luanna]

Good for you. They do have a great performance record. I just heard from one other person (happens to be a small boned female) who just had HR with Dr. P and she received the same implants that I received. So excited to hear that there is more than one female visiting this site with the same implants as mine.

Not the odd duck out any longer!  ;)

Luanna

[Davinai]

Hi Luanna- I had to post after being mentioned :) I saw Dr. P today.  He told me that he has been using our implants (cross-linked polyethylene) on women for about 8 years with very few failures.  I was pleased that there are women out there doing well after 8 years!

Davina

[Luanna]

Greetings Davina,

8 years. That's reassuring!!! Thanks so much for posting that fact. And congrats on your excellent 2 weeks post-op check up.

Also, remember that if you have any questions in between appointments that you can easily email or call Susan and she will get back to you on the same day.

Best wishes for a GREAT recovery.

Luanna

[MattBrunner]

I didn't see Dr. Prittchett as topic I was too busy out enjoying the new hip he gave me...So I guess I am somewhere about 2750 with 5 months post op tomorrow.

Everything I saw posted before was correct he is quiet person and my 8 week check up would have been 2 mins had I not asked a lot of questions.  His opening line was You are healing great, no restrictions the placement looks perfect and go do anything you like and see me in 2 years. 

I asked him why my scar was so long 10" and he told me, "Would you rather I got the hip in the right place or saved your bikini line."  lol

He just cranks out successful BHRs....I couldn't be more happy!

Matt