Thinking of resurfacing? Be sure and consult with resurfacing specialist

blinky · November 15, 2016, 01:01:01 PM

I have a cautionary tale to offer.

A few weeks ago I went to a neighborhood dinner. It was a chance to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. I have lived in the same place for twelve years. Even though I am pretty introverted, I have raised two kids here and so have met many people. Nonetheless, at this event, I found myself next to a woman I had never seen before. She was an attractive woman about my age, youthful, well dressed, and we seemed to have so much in common it was surprising we had never crossed paths. She mentioned that she had become reclusive over the last few years due to a health problem "a hip issue."

Did someone say hip issue?

That got my attention. The crowd ebbed and flowed and when we were alone, I gently asked "you say you have a hip issue?"

She was more than happy to talk about it.

She told me she was born with mild dysplasia, never knew she had a problem until she hit fifty and had pain, a restricted range of motion, and couldn't participate in some of the activities she loved. (Sounds familiar, doesn't it?). I was nodding vigorously and trying to break in. The woman told me she had a THR performed by a Top Local Guy and....had experienced femoral nerve damage and been in pain ever since.

At that point I did stop her and said I had both my hips done about a year ago so I understood I lot of what she was saying. I knew of Top Local Guy. She expressed surprise I had both hips replaced at once and asked how I was doing and who did them. I explained.

When I said "I had my hips resurfaced in South Carolina" her face fell.

"Oh. I heard about resurfacing and about Dr Gross," she said. "Top Local Guy told me I wouldn't be a candidate so I didn't pursue it."

It was a heartbreaking moment. This woman had gone to the best local surgeon she could find, been persuaded by him to look no further and ask no further questions. I am sure Top Local Guy did the best job he could, but this poor woman had been left with what looks to be permanent femoral nerve damage and pain and a significant leg length discrepancy. In her words, she had gone from being "someone who was out in the world, meeting people, playing sports," to someone who was" reclusive." Okay, so maybe her hips were so messed up that she wasn't a candidate for resurfacing. Maybe even Dr Gross couldn't have given her a successful THR. Who knows. Bu she didn't even get the chance to find out.

The moral of the story for forum readers who haven't yet made their decision? Consult with a doctor who does resurfacing before making your choice.