30 year old OA both

[a sensation]

Hello,

I'll try to keep this short;  I started having groin pain a little over 2 years ago.  After 2 failed hip scopes for FAI, I have some severe Osteoarthritis in both hips.  I saw two top FAI hip surgeons, one in the UK, the other in NY and they don't have any faith in revision scopes.  Hip resurfacing was brought to my attention.

I am currently in South Korea.  I have been seeing Dr.Myung Chul Yoo.  I originally saw his name from this website.  He has been doing hip resurfacing for 15 years and has done over 1000.  He doesn't seem to do them that often, though.  His last operation was a month ago.  I find this concerning, also the fact that I'm quite young.  I was a professional fighter before this injury, I accepted I wouldn't fight again. But, I would still like to train recreational and coach others.

Most of my pain is in the groin.  Is this one of the more common symptoms of OA of the hip?

  I have had 3t, MRI, 3d CT.  Any Doctors that will look at scans for a second opinion?  Thank you for your time.

[John C]

Welcome to the site. Here are a few thoughts on your questions from just another patient
1. As for the surgeon in Korea; it is great that he has done over 1000, but concerning that he has not done any in the last month. It might be interesting to find out why he has not done more recently.
2. Yes, groin pain is a very common symptom of an arthritic hip.
3. There are a few top surgeons that will look at your x-rays and scans for a second opinion at no charge. Dr Gross in South Carolina and Dr DeSmet in Belgium are two of the best in the world, and I am pretty sure that they will both give you a free opinion. Pat who runs this site might know of some others.
Most of us on this site will tell you that the most important thing you can do when you are ready for this surgery, is to decide on a surgeon who has a long and superb record with resurfacing specifically.
Good luck on this journey.

[a sensation]

Thanks for the reply.

I asked about the frequency, just got told that was the last hip resurfacing he did.  I'll ask that if I decide to go back again to see him.

He told me he only had 3 revisions out of all of those surgeries.  I don't have any first hand results from his patients; there is one famous Korean baseball player who had a successful surgery with him. He even returned to be quite successful.  Some stories on the Korean web about it. 

I found an article about the acetabular cup impinging in a study they did with his patients. 

Anybody around my age who had this procedure?

I'll look to send Dr. DeSmet my scans.

[Pat Walter]

Welcome to Hip Talk.  Sorry to hear you have hip problems.

I have all the surgeons that do free email consultations listed on my doctors list:

http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.php

There are more in the US than overseas.  Dr. Bose of India, Dr. De Smet of Belgium are two of the most used overseas surgeons.  You can see the top experienced surgeons on my list, too

It is good to use a surgeon that does hip resurfacing on a daily or at least weekly basic.  It is a difficult surgery and usually surgeons that do a lot of them and often, have the best outcomes. 

Pat

[a sensation]

Thanks Pat.

How long in general did the pain subside in the groin post-op?

[China Lady]

my surgeon was Dr. Jason Brockwell, Mathilda Hospital on the Peak, HongKong. he has a top reputation and an excellent team. for consultation you can also meet him in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong.
at 2. January 2014 I got 2 BHR in the same theater time, stayed 1 week in hospital and today I often forget that I have new hips at all.
bone related pain was gone after surgery, muscle related pain stayed a little bit longer because of the healing process.
I wish you 'a pain free' life again!

[dfox]

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear you are in pain but glad to hear you have found hip resurfacing and
this web site.

In your first post you mentioned, "I was a professional fighter before this injury, I accepted I wouldn't fight again".

That's the best part of hip resurfacing. After a period of healing there are no restrictions to your activities.  With enough rehab and hard work you could be back to fighting or whatever you want to do!

There are many inspirational stories on this site of athletes with resurfaced hips who are doing incredible things.

Take care,
Dave

[a sensation]

Thanks everyone,  I sent my images out to a couple of doctors.  I will get their input.

[a sensation]

So, after sending my scans to two of the well known resurfacing surgeons, they both said I shouldn't have resurfacing as I have chondral damage but I am not, in fact bone on bone.  This aligns to what the FAI surgeon said.    This now puts me in a difficult situation.  I am in pain but resurfacing isn't a favorable option neither is another scope for FAI.  What to do, who else has been in this position and what did or are you doing?  Thanks.

[Boomer]

I'm not sure why you think resurfacing is not a favorable option. Most of us were in a similar situation to yours. Increasing pain led us to start giving up the activities we loved one by one until there was little quality of life left. By the time I had my first surgery I could barely walk. Now, almost three years later, with two Birmingham Play Hips, I have recovered almost all of my activities and am pain free. Most Hippys have a similar story. So the choice as I see it, is you can continue to decline with increasing pain and a diminished life, or you can let one of the fine surgeons you mentioned fix your hip and you can start recovering and rebuilding. I waited much too long because I was afraid of the surgery. Vicki Marlow, RIP, spent a significant amount of time on the telephone with me encouraging me to move forward or I would still be crippled. I have no regrets except that I wasted two years of my life hobbling around in pain before getting help.

Good luck to you with whatever choice you make. You have come to the right place for advice and counsel.

Boomer

[a sensation]

Sorry, I had a typo.  Two surgeons said I should not have resurfacing because my hip joints aren't that bad.  Here is what was said  "However in your case I would suggest that you wait for some time.
The reason for this is you have not developed arthritis though the cartilage is damaged.
It is only a matter of time before you develop arthritis . Hip resurfacing will be much safer at that point in time."

[karlos.bell]

Hi 30 Year old OA.
Some history for you of my and hips not that every one is the same. Be patient and learn about your hips.
Had one hip scoped at the age of 41. Due to deep hip sockets and FAI (normal hips now) and  Now 7 years on I am needing the right sorted after 1 1/2 years after FAI surgery. The left was put back to normal and the Labrum reattached the left side seems to be good.
I cannot get help (surgery) at home and will need to pay for my own hips probably about 35K plus offshore so I need to make sure I am making the right decision.

Recently I dragged a 160 pound stag out the other day only 600 meters on a sledge I built out of carbon fibre. This is a severe work out for both hips. The left was ok a week after and the right has continued to play up with inflammation. I also was on crutches for 6 years so this is how one has to be patient as the doc's don't want to fix something that may heal. Does not matter if it is in US or the Uk normally its the same answer except some now have more experience.
You will get there, this is a positive site and great people to help you along.
Nobody's the same and we all seem to have different issues with our hips.
Don't rush in take some time as you do not want to fix something that may come right.
All the best.
Cheers. Karl