Sorry dont how ( or even if I can ) link from Sky or Newspapers online, but there is a big story just about everywhere concerning the hip resurfacing.
Apparently the metal on metal hip resurfacing was withdrawn in 2010 in the UK..... the year mine was done ::)
An excerpt from one of the articles.......
"Reports that thousands of patients in Britain could be at risk of being poisoned by metal hip replacements has sparked an investigation by medical regulators.
The action comes after it was found that 'metal-on-metal' (MoM) hip replacements are feared to be more dangerous than previously thought - despite being given to more than 30,000 British patients already.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed it had taken 'prompt action' over the safety concerns, but added the majority of people with the devices are at 'low risk of developing any serious problems'."
Anyone know anymore about the allegations???
Could this explain my pain...and the speed with which the surgeon is pushing through my MRI date ??
I hate this negative press stuff and one sided medical studies. The oxford study which showed terrible outcomes for resurfacing was based on I believe 30 associates learning hip resurfacing. So go figure - why would they not have good outcomes without any experience. Also many inexperienced hip resurfacing surgeons had bad outcomes. We all know that and use the top experienced surgeons so we have the 96% retention rates for BHRs since 1997 when McMinn started doing them.
Please think about all of this. If metal on metal hip resurfacing was withdrawn in the UK - how in the world did McMinn just complete 3333 of them? It was in the news releases. Mr. Treacy is still doing them along with many other surgeons.
I don't have a clue where these news stories get their info - but it is always one sided and incomplete. They are always against MOM THR devices and hip resurfacing. Please take time and read the current 2011 Australian National Registry to see the current stats for BHR and other good hip resurfacing devices http://www.surfacehippy.info/nationalregistries.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/nationalregistries.php)
You can go to McMinn today and get a hip resurfacing and also to Treacy and many others. McMinn will be in the US in February for AAOS and will be at Vicky's meeting.
Trust me - if hip resurfacing was withdrawn in the UK - there would be real information all over including reports from Smith & Nephew for the BHR, Corin for the Cormet and Wright for the Wright C+
Please don't post a link to this half truth article - I will remove it. I know there are new people here and I don't think it is the job of this discussion group to scare the heck out of them.
Also, lets not get in a big discussion about how bad MOM devices and resurfacing is. We have had that discussion and there are only 4% of people having problems with MOM hip resurfacing.
Pat
Hi Pat and Chris,
There does seem to be a feeding frenzy in the media right now. Probably good to post about it and refute the erroneous reports.
Same things here in US on CNN and a couple of other news TV stations - adds by lawyers at prime time asking people with MoM hip replacements (visual shows hip resurfacing) to contact them to join a class action suit against manufacturers. Freaked me out to be eating dinner and watching the news and have this add come up several nights in a row. Guess I watch too much TV. Of course my friends and family started calling asking me if I was ok. Scare tactics suck!
Think it will probably continue for a while until the manufacturers can mount an effective media campaign to refute false claims.
Luanna
Chris
First, I am sorry that you are having problems with your resurfacing. There are a handful of people that have problems and have not yet got them figured out. My suggestion would be to get an appointment with Mr. McMinn and get a good second opinion. He is one of the most experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the world. I would not trust anyone that has not done many thousands of hip resurfacings.
Second, I have removed your second post. I don't consider the information presented on this website, by live video interviews by the most experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the world, medical studies and the National Registries as rose colored positive information. They are cold, clear facts.
I won't let this thread become a discussion about how bad hip resurfacing is. We all know there are a small percentage of problems, 4%, but there are 96% of positive outcomes. There are between 1500 to sometimes 3000 unique new visitors a day to this website. It is my goal to make sure they see 96% of the info a positive and correct based on facts.
Again, my heart goes out to anyone with problems from their resurfacings. They need to get input from the top experienced surgeons to find out what is wrong. The less experienced hip resurfacing surgeons simply don't have the experience to find the problems sometimes. We also have to know the full story on anyone having problems. How bad was your hip before resurfacing, how long were you in pain, inactive or even on crutches. Some people that had very degenerated hips can take a year or more to recover. I know a lady that had frozen hips and it is taking years - but each year she gets better and better.
I am sorry for everyone that has pain and problems, but the solution will be from the top experienced surgeons to find the answers. We are here to share stories and support each other.
Pat
How do these news agencys get away with putting out such a one sided load of crap?
If MOM HR's have been withdrawn in the UK no one told me or Mr Treact when he did mine in november! ;D
It sells soap Danny, that is why, look how it got Chris upset.
Chuck
I know it sells mate but i just think its morally wrong. Why should they be allowed to print such tripe!
Many doctors are telling their patients to have the blood ion test and x-rays 2 years post-op, I think what you will find are doctors coming out with the stats on how many patients are exhibiting high metal ion levels. My bet is those numbers will be very low.
This is a lawyers dream right now, some news media outlets are complicit with the ambulance chasers, it's a shame the truth does not come out freely, my favorite saying:
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Chuck
Quote from: Luanna on January 29, 2012, 12:12:47 PM
Hi Pat and Chris,
There does seem to be a feeding frenzy in the media right now. Probably good to post about it and refute the erroneous reports.
Same things here in US on CNN and a couple of other news TV stations - adds by lawyers at prime time asking people with MoM hip replacements (visual shows hip resurfacing) to contact them to join a class action suit against manufacturers. Freaked me out to be eating dinner and watching the news and have this add come up several nights in a row. Guess I watch too much TV. Of course my friends and family started calling asking me if I was ok. Scare tactics suck!
Think it will probably continue for a while until the manufacturers can mount an effective media campaign to refute false claims.
Luanna
Agreed.
Actually one of the reasons I came out of semi-retirement was to help Pat, we've even had some plants who have tried to spread some of the mistruths around.
The overseas registry of hip implants do not lie, metal ions are not an isssue, it's just plain and simple. Unless your doctor screwed up, you should not have problems, that is unless you are hyper sensitive to metal.
One of the things we say over and over again, don't pick a surgeon because he says he's is experienced, find one that truly is. You cannot go wrong with Dr. Su, Dr. Gross, Dr. DeSmet, Dr. Bose and a few others that have a lot of experience under their belt with good results. You also cannot go wrong with Treacy or McMinn either.
If you have any questions, go to yahoo surface hippy and do a search for your surgeon.
Chuck
Quote from: Dannywayoflife on January 29, 2012, 01:53:44 PM
I know it sells mate but i just think its morally wrong. Why should they be allowed to print such tripe!
So I took the time to track down all the publications that ran this story and here's what I've concluded: for as many half truths that have been reported about MoM, there are just as many "half reads" and "half listens", from people who then come to these message boards and give out erroneous information, and claim they heard "the sky is falling"
The articles focused on the increasing number of ASR failures, and a move by the "Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to advise more MoM patients to undergo more routine screenings for serum colbalt/chrome levels... and more vigilant monitoring of people with the ASR.
THIS IS ALL GOOD STUFF!!!! Why?
Because what happened with the ASR has given resurfacing a bad rap. We need to hurry up and get all that crap in the past. My surgeon, Dr. Pritchett, told me in no uncertain terms that the ASR was a "piece of junk" and why he never implanted it. They rushed a device to market that cast a cloud over the entire industry and that is shameful.
Hopefully what is about to happen in Britain will finally allow us to be shed of this B.S. stigma surrounding MoM. And the mess that DePuy left in the litter box can finally be thrown out.
Good detective work Baby B!!!
Yep! Sure sounds like Dr. Pritchett all right. He doesn't mince words when he shares his opinions. Thanks for researching the articles and facts.
It make me feel awful that something like this has the power to upset Chris. I'm sure there are others looking for answers who see these articles and get worried and upset too.
Luanna
Just seen the report on the news. Very inflammatory and very generic. Even though to me obviously entirely based on the asr.
Yes, I am FB friends with Chris, he's going through a lot with his hip and he is clearly upset. Chris could be one of the people who are sensitive to metal or it could be something else, he's going to get further testing, although I have been asking him to find other doctors.
Chuck
It's a shame what the press has done, and @ Baby B, THANK YOU Baby B, good work looking up.... could you give us direct quotes and your corrections?
Chuck
Quote from: Luanna on January 29, 2012, 04:41:33 PM
Good detective work Baby B!!!
Yep! Sure sounds like Dr. Pritchett all right. He doesn't mince words when he shares his opinions. Thanks for researching the articles and facts.
It make me feel awful that something like this has the power to upset Chris. I'm sure there are others looking for answers who see these articles and get worried and upset too.
Luanna
Quote from: chris finn on January 29, 2012, 11:56:36 AM
Anyone know anymore about the allegations???
The above is from my first post....all I wanted was information. As Chuck says, I am still in great pain and experience a total loss of feeling in my leg on an increasing frequency.
I did not post the thread to cause trouble or scaremonger and I am extremely angry that, that is how it was seen.
I am in debt to those who
have managed to find out more (Baby Barista to name but one, and I have taken your findings on board),and to those who have supported me I thank you too.
I will push for answers and a resolution to my problem.
I have come back to this thread, and walked away from my pc half a dozen times because I dont believe in posting whilst angry, but even now I am stil livid about the way I was treated..Im 47 not 4 and do not appreciate being dictated to.
I am going to give it some thought, but I am not sure that I want to continue to be a part of this forum.
Chris
I am sorry you have problems and have suggested you continue to get some input from someone like Mr. McMinn. That's the best advice I can give.
As to me dictating to you - I will not stand for anyone to make the statement you made about me or my website. I quote information from national registries and medical studies. I do not make up info or just quote my opinion.
This is the statement in your post that made me remove the post:
"I am not trying to scare anyone, but surely anybody contemplating this
surgery needs to have the complete picture and not a one sided rose tinted
view."
I do not share half truths and rose tint any of the information. My site is not one sided. There are sections for personal stories for hip problems and revisions. There are sections on the discussion group for severe problems and revisions.
I am sorry you feel as you do - but I am angry to have anyone tell me that I present a one sided rose tinted view of hip resurfacing.
Pat
Chris,
You must understand, as far as MOM's go they have proven to be safe and nothing except for hyper sensitivity to metal ions or an implant that is shedding large amounts of ions because of the angle it was implanted are usually the only complications that occur because of the device being metal on metal. Just because it's a MOM does not make it bad, and again and again, unless it's been installed incorrectly.
Of course the ASR device was a big problem because of the shallowness of the cup.
You must think of how your post would appear to someone who is new, I agree with Pat in what she did, but at the same time understand how you feel, it's tough to have problems like you have, you feel alone, you want to know why it happened, BUT it does no good to blame the whole baby along with the bath water, we need only throw out the dirty bath water.
We're not afraid of the truth, but let's wait to find out what is the truth. For now the news media is only mixing the dirty bath water of the ASR with the good BHR baby, we're not ready to throw both of them out.
Chuck
Chris I understand your concern and it's all very valid. I empathize with you. You are not alone. I am one of that small number of metal on metal BHR failures. We might only be 4% but that doesn't matter at all when you're one of them. I am PM'ing a link to you.
I don't think information is presented through Rose tinted glasses on this site but I also know that there are valid concerns out there.
The upcoming meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has many seminars and presentations scheduled. Here are four that pertain this post on problems with metal on metal arthoplasty and resurfacing.
"The Painful Metal on Metal Hip Arthoplasty - Evaluation and Management"
"Hip Replacement or Hip Resurfacing: What's Best for My Young Patients"
" Alternative Bearing Surfaces: The Good, The Bad and The Indifferent"
" High Performance Hip Replacement. What is it? Who is the Right Candidate?"
The surgical community is aware that outcomes are not as good as they should be. They are examining this from many different angles to finds solutions for improvement. I don't see any hysteria on the agenda. Newspapers are creating some hype, but the professionals are working on scientific solutions. Stay tuned. The AAOS meeting takes place the second week of February in San Francisco. Your surgeon will be aware of the findings reached there. Ask about it. My first question to Dr. Rector at my March 13 follow up appointment will be "Did you learn anything new at the AAOS that will change how your approach hip resurfacing?"
Boomer
Good post, Boomer. I think the more hard facts and professional analysis done will get rid of any misinformation and give us a true lay of the land.
I believe the facts from the registries, and that I made a great choice for myself but we need more action on not only defining the current state of affairs, but also how to improve them for the future. I also believe that from this kind of process may come ways for those of us who do run into problems to deal with the consequences of it, and how, if possible we can help each other.
We can't lose if the surgeons become better by self inspection.
Note by Patricia Walter: I am sorry, but I removed the url. I don't have links to misinformation. I am sorry, but new people need to learn about the positive aspects of hip resurfacing and the true problems which are all posted here and on the main website. It is just my decision and nothing to do with your personal story or posts
The current news headline about poison MOM devices Hit our newspaper.
I decided to send a quick email to my family ....to reassure them of a couple of facts so they did not worry.
"Same op - different device.
I got the BHR device which is also MOM (Metal on Metal). This article is from misinformed media & actually originated in the UK & US yesterday. For not the first time, they are trying to sell newspapers by scare mongering. The ASR device made by Depuy (MOM) had some issues - the cup was to thinner, which can inadvertently can create the metal ion issues they talk about. Records show that people who had the ASR device have had the most complications - 12% revision surgery to date. The BHR device & Resurfacing hip operation unfortunately got placed in the same "Poison" pigeon hole.
Top experienced surgeons have 96% retention rates for BHRs since 1997 when McMinn started doing them."
There were several deign faults with the asr which created the problems. From what I've read they include too small a clearance between the components I believe it had a clearance of 65 microns. When the optimal clearance to create thick film fluid lubrication is 167. The bhr is 165. Also the cup was less than a half hemispurrs they thought that this would mean it would give greater ROM but it just made implantation at the right angle harder for the surgeon.
I also believe the alloy used for the device was different. Don't forget the bhr is made from an alloy that has been used in orthopaedics for 70years and has been used as a MOM bearing surface since the 60's. Mcminn didn't just pick any old alloy when he designed the bhr.
Do we see any of that info being put into press? It's plain scare mongering. And I for one thing it's immoral
Kiwi
Please don't take offense to me removing the link to the newspaper story. My site is highly rated by Google and I also don't need to help these mis-informed websites and newspapers increase their ratings by outgoing links from my site.
I receive an email for every post made on this discussion group. I normally read them all fairly quickly to keep an eye on things. This negative hip resurfacing campaign is getting out of hands in the media and I don't want to fuel any more arguments or problems for people on this group. I value each and every person and never want to hurt their feelings, but I am trying to keep this site as positive good information about hip resurfacing. I look at each post with the "EYES OF THE BRAND NEW VISITOR" trying to learn about hip resurfacing. I try to keep all the problems posted where everyone can see them, but not be the first thing to hit them when they first tune in!
So I look at things a little differently trying to see the overall view of the site. I know everyone posting is thinking about their stories and opinions which I think they should. Those with problems should be able to talk and ask for help. They should be able to complain, but within their stories and places for problems.
Please don't take offense if I need to change something you wrote. I try hard not to do that, but sometimes I see things differently. If I did not have that view - this site would have been gone a long time ago. I want it to grow and be useful to everyone. I want it to present correct information whenever possible.
Thanks.
Pat
Danny - Agreed. The media so often get it wrong. A bit more investigation they could put the Resurfacing operation into context. Where are all the BHR success stories & stats? Oh... of course... that won't sell newspapers!
My surgeon was asked if he wanted to install the asr, but he simply asked where's your 10 year data? Until you have successful 10 year data - don't bother asking me again. He does bhr only.
Chris - Please keep us posted on your progress. I have read many of your posts prior to this & hope you continue to post.
Pat - No worries. I understand.
Good. Who are the presenters? Is anybody going to attend? are the proceedings available to anybody here? anyone staking out the bar at the conference hotel? just kidding on that last one
Quote from: Boomer on January 30, 2012, 10:19:47 AM
The upcoming meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has many seminars and presentations scheduled. Here are four that pertain this post on problems with metal on metal arthoplasty and resurfacing.
"The Painful Metal on Metal Hip Arthoplasty - Evaluation and Management"
"Hip Replacement or Hip Resurfacing: What's Best for My Young Patients"
" Alternative Bearing Surfaces: The Good, The Bad and The Indifferent"
" High Performance Hip Replacement. What is it? Who is the Right Candidate?"
The surgical community is aware that outcomes are not as good as they should be. They are examining this from many different angles to finds solutions for improvement. I don't see any hysteria on the agenda. Newspapers are creating some hype, but the professionals are working on scientific solutions. Stay tuned. The AAOS meeting takes place the second week of February in San Francisco. Your surgeon will be aware of the findings reached there. Ask about it. My first question to Dr. Rector at my March 13 follow up appointment will be "Did you learn anything new at the AAOS that will change how your approach hip resurfacing?"
Boomer
Quote from: Pat Walter on January 30, 2012, 06:33:58 PM
Kiwi
Please don't take offense to me removing the link to the newspaper story. My site is highly rated by Google and I also don't need to help these mis-informed websites and newspapers increase their ratings by outgoing links from my site.
I receive an email for every post made on this discussion group. I normally read them all fairly quickly to keep an eye on things. This negative hip resurfacing campaign is getting out of hands in the media and I don't want to fuel any more arguments or problems for people on this group. I value each and every person and never want to hurt their feelings, but I am trying to keep this site as positive good information about hip resurfacing. I look at each post with the "EYES OF THE BRAND NEW VISITOR" trying to learn about hip resurfacing. I try to keep all the problems posted where everyone can see them, but not be the first thing to hit them when they first tune in!
So I look at things a little differently trying to see the overall view of the site. I know everyone posting is thinking about their stories and opinions which I think they should. Those with problems should be able to talk and ask for help. They should be able to complain, but within their stories and places for problems.
Please don't take offense if I need to change something you wrote. I try hard not to do that, but sometimes I see things differently. If I did not have that view - this site would have been gone a long time ago. I want it to grow and be useful to everyone. I want it to present correct information whenever possible.
Thanks.
Pat
Pat, i think it's good to run a tight ship. I wonder if there are more people doing research and finding this site because of the negative press. "no such thing as bad publicity"
You and many others here are well prepared to refute negative information so i suggest a sticky {or category] titled HR Misinformation. First time visitors would likely find it useful along with another sticky about the joint registry data.
horse doc
Great idea. Thank You for the idea. I will work on it tomorrow. It takes a lot of time getting all this "stuff" sorted and printed.
I did a new page for the website tonight
http://www.surfacehippy.info/hr-survivorship-rates-2011.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/hr-survivorship-rates-2011.php)
I just need to expand on it. I have a lot of articles about hip resurfacing and why it is a good solution all thru the main website, but some people just end up here and don't read there much.
Here is the first time visitor guide
http://www.surfacehippy.info/visitorguide.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/visitorguide.php)
Boomer
I would love to go to AAOS. Many doctors ask if I am going. The reason I can't is that the ticket for a non-doctor is $850 and that doesn't include the podium presentations. Most of these meeting and courses don't allow the public or patients. I am normally invited because of my website. The hotel rooms at the courses and AAOS are all over $200 a night and that is a special rate. Add travel costs of flying across the country, I find I just can't go to most of them. I usually just do the Hip Resurfacing course in Baltimore or when it is in LA. I have done a few other special meetings, but not many. Way too rich for my blood!
Thanks again.
Pat
Pat,
The AAOS is one of the toughest shows to get into and one of the most expensive. I'm in the business so I get to attend most of the big shows like the AAOS, AAD, ACOG etc. I won't be at the AAOS this year, but I should be able to get feedback on the important topics. I'll post what I find out.
Pat, if you had let us know, I'm sure the good folks posting on your site would have raised the money needed for you to attend. Who better to represent us Hippys than you? I hope you will go next year. I'll contribute to your travel fund! I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner and lead the charge. Shame on me!
Boomer
Agree strongly with Danny- Mr McMinn invented with passion and dedication, he actually loves his work including
being 100% precise.
He actually enjoys performing 8 operations in one day. Known as work satisfaction, plus took his team
to to help 19 people in Vietnam which also shows his compassion. This speaks for itself.
I decided on going ahead with my right hip resurfacing last October because my surgeon assured me that the BHR was the best and had low revision rates. This was what I believed to be the case at the time even with the negative press on MOM. I am having some problems with HO but that is a different story. I think this forum is and has been very informative, I stumbled on it when I was looking for information on the BHR last year before my operation. I don't think I would have gone ahead with it if I believed everything I read or saw on TV !
On attending the AAOS, Do you think maybe S&N, Wright, Corin, or others would provide Pat travel and/or a portion of perdium and lodging to attend? It almost seems like we're sitting ducks here getting shot down by Barry (Ny Times), idiot attorneys, and the latest from the British Journalists. The bad press is probably costing the HR manufacturers money. Why do we let them do that? Why do the manufacturers let them do that?
Vicky fought back on some bad press last spring, if I recall. I think Pat's sent a few emails back to the journalists as well as constantly trying to fight off the negative info about MoM here. It seems odd that there is not a financial incentive to squash the BS that we keep hearing about. I think it's getting worse.
Chris - sorry to hear about your problems. It's got to be pretty frustrating
stavros - Same here. This site gave me so much info and support and confidence that HR was right for me.
I think at some point in the near future s&n are going to launch a aggressive counter attack. I know they have some rather eye brow raising information under there hat that will blow the antis out of the water.
Something needs to happen. Is there a journalist out there of a reputable status that can publish the real facts? People on here are always going to want to be informed and it's the members here that need to be informed as they support the newbies or folk looking into resurfacing as an option.
Horse Doc - Having an avenue to correct the 'inaccurate' information published is a great idea. I'd much rather send a link to this site correcting negative misinformation about resurfacing than post links to family, friends etc of the actual article.
Family, friends, hippies & hippies to be, all read the papers. As you say - it's more 'positive' marketing for surface hippy if you can direct them here for the stone cold facts.
Pat, trust this helps! This site should be treated with respect, positivity is my belief
News Story Archive
1st February 2012
Metal-on-Metal Implants - Addressing the Negative Press
We have been receiving phone calls following recent press reports on failed metal-on-metal hip implants. We understand these sensationalist stories may cause anxiety among some patients. However, we would like to reassure our patients that these reports mostly concern failures with the DePuy ASR and the DePuy ASR XL, not the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR).
Many press reports imply these failures relate to all metal-on-metal hip resurfacings. A patient featured in a recent Daily Mail article, like many others, had a failed ASR. A critical point, omitted from the print version of the Daily Mail, can be found in the full online version. As well as her ASR, the patient had a BHR on her other hip. She comments, “I've never had a minute’s trouble from the Birmingham hip â€" if only I’d had it on both sides.â€
High failure rates with the ASR and ASR XL have been widely documented. Both devices have now been withdrawn from the market. Research indicates the side effects, such as muscle damage, are specific to the ASR and do not apply to the BHR which is a very different device.
Earlier this week, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) issued another statement about metal-on-metal hips, in which they say, "On the evidence currently available the majority of patients implanted with metal-on-metal hip replacements are at low risk of developing any serious problems.â€
In addition to the MHRA’s guidance, we wish to emphasise that Mr McMinn’s results with the BHR show a 97% survival in men and women of all ages at 14.5 years. Furthermore, excellent results with the BHR have been documented in National Joint Registers from around the world.
Sadly, these ASR failures come as no surprise. Mr McMinn has been warning about the device since it went to market in 2003. You can see Mr McMinn’s argument against the ASR here. Furthermore, The McMinn Centre has put together several resources which address patients’ concerns and the differences between the ASR and BHR designs. These resources are as follows:
• The McMinn Research Team’s detailed response to list of questions on metal-metal implants & metal ions provided by hip resurfacing users here
• The McMinn Centre’s response to a Channel 4 documentary on metal-metal hip replacements here
• An interview with a patient who has now had his McMinn metal-metal hip resurfacing for 20 years here
It appears I`ve posted almost the same as Pat, without reading all comments first. However I agree with her totally!! Mr McMinn is the expert
Yep derricks the man! I reckon he's torpedo more about resurfacing and MOM implants than dupuy will ever know!