J E Macpherson’s Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Pritchett 2011
March 30, 2012
I had a right hip done by Dr. Pritchett July 2011 and I’m very happy with the results. I was 57 years old at the time and active. My main problem after the surgery was a very tight and painful iliotibial band (sp?) but it finally stretched out fine and I’ve had no problems with it since. I returned to running and did the 5K Turkey Trot on Bainbridge Island in November 2011, just four months after the surgery. It is now March 2012 and I now run about 3 times a week for 35 to 40 minutes each time – I completely changed my running style to minimize the impact by running exclusively on my toes and mid-foot (no heel striking at all) with a shorter stride (tiny steps on my toes going down steep hills), but I still have a pretty decent gate and speed and I very happy with my progress. I’m using my old shoes but plan to go to the newer minimal impact style like New Balance Minimus or 5 Fingers something like that – the “barefoot” theory makes a lot of sense to me and seems to be working.
As for Dr. Pritchett, I did a lot of research ahead of time and know he is perhaps the most knowledgeable resurfacing doctor around. His bedside manner isn’t great in that he can seem abrupt and distant and disinterested, but he will respond if you are up front and direct with him, particularly on technical issues. I strongly suggest that you read his many technical articles on resurfacing, particularly on the metal-on-metal issue. I realize there is a relatively small likelihood that I will have problems with metal in the future but decided that the rewards of resurfacing are well worth that small risk, and I have no regrets at all about doing it – best thing I ever did. My older brother had both his hips fully replaced and he is very jealous.