Left resurfacing Conserve plus with Dr De Smet

[hernanu]

- Got a cold 4 days ago. That wouldn't bother me before, and would soldier on (both in terms of keep doing exercise, and to let it cure "naturally" no matter how long it takes), but not now. With colds/flu/sore throat (probably I've 3-4 episodes per year) I've a tendency to pick up sinusitis or chest infections (maybe once every 4 or 5 episodes), so I've been worried and tempted to reach my surgeon for advice, but I haven't yet.

Question: Should we be more vigilant with infections than before for a few months after surgery, or for life, or better not to worry at all?

Hi,,

Thought I'd check in on this, since this is something we all think about. I answered this a couple of times, but it bears repeating:

I found this information and put it into an earlier post, but it speaks to your question.

According to this paper from the international journal of medical sciences, these are the bacteria associated with hip joint infections. We're interested in PJI (Prosthetic Joint Infections), NJI is natural joint infections, RA is reactive arthritis:

(source: http://www.medsci.org/v06p0234.htm )



The bacteria identified as causing prosthetic joint infections (PJI) in this study are:

• Staphylococcus aureus - Staph infection, MRSA, etc.
• Coagulase negative staphylococci
• E. Coli
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Community acquired pneumonia and ventilator pneumonia

The main thing to look at both a bacterium's ability to infect the area and pathways to get there. It is treatable by antibiotics (since it's a bacteria, common cold is caused by viruses), so identifying it early is probably important. It's always good to check with the doctor. 

The paper does say that prophylactic use of antibiotics was very effective in preventing infection, so our popping antibiotics before dental work, etc. is effective.

The common  cold is probably not going to be causing any issues with our hips. Not to be ignored, though - I once had a lung collapse since I ignored a cold / bronchitis / pneumonia. I take it easy now any time I have a cold, but not worried about the hips.

[whyme]

Hernan, I hadn't seen that info about the infections, good to have it in mind!

Regarding the groin / psoas discomfort, it only affects me when flexing the hip for things like putting on / taking out trousers, socks, shoes, sometimes getting in/out of the car. And it happens mainly not while flexing, but when extending the leg back down. If I extend the leg with a little aid (holding a bit with the hand), most of the times I don't feel it.
As I can't pinpoint what is causing it, I'll take the prescribed antiinflamatories and ease off on those moves for a while.
I'd planned to start gentle swimming, so might as well try and see if it helps or otherwise.

[hernanu]

That sounds muscular.

It may be a slight issue with the IT band, or just that you need to do some exercises localized for that muscle area.

[whyme]

Hi all,  yesterday it was my 6 month 'half anniversary'... Yes, time flies!
This website has been a source of support and inspiration, and I try to contribute when I can.

I feel very good, daily life is definitely much better than it was 6 and 12 months ago.
From the start I decided to be on the cautious side, but it doesn't mean I don't put the hours! Basically I do hip exercises, a bit of static bike and cross trainer in the gym, swimming twice a week since 2 months ago and will start now cycling outdoors on weekends. But the intensity is low, I'm not pushing hard yet.

Not all is perfect yet and I feel there is a lot of room for improvement, but certainly the recovery has been quite smooth with no complications or major setbacks.

On the wish list I have a few things to improve:
- The incision area is still tender, it's not comfortable to sleep on the operated side. The scar developed a bit of a keloid in the middle section, but nothing dramatic. At times it feels a bit itchy, specially if I'm sitting for a long time.

- The issues I had with hip flexion (discomfort / mild pain around months 3-4) are gone, but the hip flexors are still not very strong.

- The other hip has behaved badly, but with ups and downs. The first few months I walked a lot and it seems it didn't take it very well. I wonder what will happen when/if I start jogging again (around summer time is the plan), probably it's not going to be pretty, but we'll see.

If I had to put it on numbers, I feel like 90% recovered for daily life and 70% for sporting life.

Cheers!

[Debcoco]

Whyme,

I am at 3 months and have the same mild hip flexion discomfort you mentioned you had at 3 months especially when trying to tie shoe laces and pick up items from the floor.  You've given me hope and will look forward to the 6 months "half anniversary."

(it would probably help if I did more of the exercises you and others on this site do.)

deb

[luann again]

Thanks for the update! Things should just keep getting better!

[labusas]

Thanks Whyme for a very informative thread. I'm happy for your quick recovery.
I'll be going to do my right hip to Belgium as well this summer.
I noticed some De Smet patients get BHR and some Conserve +.
Is Conserve + a preferred brand with Dr. De Smet or is it up to the patient to choose the device.
I'm not sure which way to go here.
Thanks again

[whyme]

Hi Iabusas, he has put minimum 1500 of each, I think he chooses depending on patient's anatomy and other factors, but if I'm not mistaken now he prefers Conserve+ generally. I did not choose, it did not cross my mind, he is the expert and knows better, I thought.

[labusas]

Thanks for your reply. Of course Dr De Smet would know better. Keep us updated on your progress and please share any other tips.
Regards

[Gazza2]

Hi,

  there is an interesting article written by Dr DeSmet comparing BHR to Conserve+ that is published here:-
www surfacehippy.info/pdf/bhvsrconserv.pdf

Based on this article I think DeSmet prefers Conserve+.    I am interested to know if he is still using cemented Conserve+ or the un-cemented version (For Femoral component).  My surgeon in Canada told me that they have been using an un-cemented Conserve+ since 2009.

[whyme]

Hi hippies,
I hit the 1 year anniversary last week!
The key fact: no hip pain. That's the main reason why most of us go through this procedure.
But, human nature, once the pain is gone we ask for more and more, and I'm no different. I'd say I've recovered 100% for daily life, 90% for recreational sporting activities and 70% for competitive sporting activities.

100% -> there isn't anything "normal" people do that I can't do, and don't think about the hip anymore for daily activities.

90% -> I haven't cycled hard, couldn't run any meaningful distance (I pulled my calf a couple of times) and haven't tried any hiking or climbing (yet). I've no doubts I will reach 100% before the second anniversary.

70% -> only pushing hard on the swim, not so much on the bike and running is still pending.
In this department it's yet to be seen how far I can go, I hope 100%, but that would be a bonus...

I've actually improved my swimming times since last year. For example in 2 open water races (3.7 and 4.0 km) I cut my times by 5 and 3.5 minutes.
Cycling was a bit slower as I started outdoors after 6 months and still building up pace and distance very gradually. Going uphill was not great for a while, the psoas feeling sensitive, but it gets better overtime.
Running is the big question mark.

On the worries front, there isn't much:
- I've had 3 episodes (over the last 4 months) of pain in my hip flexor after exercise, they lasted 24h or so and then disappeared completely.

- The other hip has behaved badly on and off for the whole year, hopefully it settles but if not I will have to follow up closely (maybe it will require surgery earlier than I'd have hoped).

- Clunking happens quite regularly, I'm not sure what to make of it.

Other than that, happy days!

[Tim Bratten]

Go whyme! Glad to hear how you're doing. My revised hip improved a lot the second year, so there's certainly hope. Both my hips perform similalry at this point. I don't know how to measure it so much in terms of percentages. It's more like a journey back in time. Right now in terms of performance I'm at around 3 or 4 years presurgery (that is: about seven or eight years back in time). A couple of more years backwards and I'm basically back to my peak climbing condition. To get there I think I just need to keep at it. At least I'm not too pressured at work right now, so I have some free time for physical activities. 

I thought I'd mention I really haven't had any clunking for some months. I don't know why we're different that way, but I don't think it's anything for you to worry about. My revised hip sometimes makes a sort of creaking sensation when I stretch out in some ways (e.g. the child's pose in Yoga) but that seems to be improving (disappearing) now that I'm doing more of this stuff. I have also started to mix jogging with walking on my regular hikes and this doesn't seem to have any negative consequences so far.

Cheers
Tim