Linnett’s Revision Story and Suggestions 2015

You may remember I wrote some years ago with the problems I had firstly with the BHR (the usual pseudo tumours that are so common with this implant) and then problems with the revised hip.

Fast forward a few years, an infection was diagnosed and I had a two stage revision surgery carried out to eradicate the infection. I am now ten weeks post op and seem to be doing okay.

I think my story is important as so many hip surgeries go wrong and it is important for people to know that there is light at the end of tunnel if indeed something does go wrong. When I carried out my research on the BHR I read nothing negative so never evaluated matters thoroughly which is important for any surgery to be successful.

Also, I keep reading that the BHR is bone conserving should a revision be needed in the future. However, the reality is that this is far from true the metal of the BHR actually destroys all the bone and surrounding tissue and muscle making any revision very much more challenging. I think it is important when deciding on an implant that all the facts are made known, this one important fact seems to be missing in all the information I now read. I have actually met a large number of people who have had exactly the same problem, so it is far from rare.

My second surgeon who carried out first revision, although the implant and surgery was successful, he would not listen to me when I told him something was wrong. It took moving home new GP and new consultant to have the infection diagnosed. If this infection had been nipped in the bud and not left to fester for seven years far less damage would have been caused by it.

Another lesson learned!

Listed to your body and go with your instincts. I am not a pushy person by nature and when my consultant dismissed my comment that there was something wrong I should have pushed further and I might not have been left in this position.

Whilst the active life I led with the BHR was extremely short lived I have since met people with THRs who live very active lives. I was told the BHR was the only implant that I could remain active with. I was only 44 and attended five gym classes a week at the time.

Wayne Sleep is a prime example. He is an English ballet dancer who had a THR and was back on stage twelve weeks following surgery as a pantomime dame wearing high heels and performing dances and high kicks! Therefore, BHR is far from the only option for active people and this should also be made clear.

My sister in law (who is two years older than me) had a THR the same year I had my BHR and she is still fine whereas I have had another three surgeries since!