Mike Christensen Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Barrack 2013

I had my left hip resurfaced November 26th 2013 with the Birmingham Hip. Dr. Barrack of Barnes Jewish Hospital performed my surgery.

My story started 5 years ago when I returned from a snowboarding trip in Colorado. I thought I had pulled my groin. After 8 months of no improvement, I finally decided to see an Orthopedic doctor in my local town. He x-rayed my hip and told me I had “some” arthritis in the hip and I would (eventually) need a new hip. This astounded me! I asked why my left hip was arthritic and the right hip was fine, but he had no definitive answer.

I was lucky enough to run into someone who recommended the BHR procedure. He told me to research the device and decide for myself if it was for me. This was very important information! Of the 4 Orthopedic surgeons I met with since my initial x-rays, none recommended (or performed) hip resurfacing.

Forward 5 years, my hip was now very painful. The worst was walking, but even sleeping and mowing the yard hurt. I decided to seek out any Doctor in Missouri who did BHR hip resurfacing. My search found 1 doctor. Dr. Barrack is now the only doctor in Missouri performing BHR surgery. I met with Dr. Barrack in early November and scheduled the last spot in his 2013 schedule. I had good insurance and met most of my 2013 deductible. While I did have some anxiety about the surgery, I knew this was the only solution to getting rid of the pain.

11-26-14- I checked in Barnes-Jewish and my left hip (fitted with a new BHR) was finished by 11:30 that morning. I was very stiff and sore from the surgery, but my arthritic pain was gone. My first 3 weeks post surgery were the worst, with stiffness and surgery pain. Dr. Barrack put a 50lb max weight limit on my left leg for 6 weeks, which I followed. My 6 week post-op was much anticipated. It turned out to be a great appointment as all hip precautions were lifted as well as my weight limit. I could now drop the walker and use a cane (if needed for pain).

I am now almost 8 weeks post-op and I have ditched my cane and I am well into my physical therapy. Wow, what a difference from week 3! No pain with walking. I am now strengthening my leg/hip and working on flexibility. Although my left leg is weak and my flexibility is low, my comeback has started with the ultimate goal of a snowboarding trip in March of 2015 to Breckenridge.

Sometimes, I still can’t get over the fact I have a metal device in body, but being pain free is well worth it.

Thank you to Dr. Barrack and his wonderful staff and assistants. My BHR has been a life changing event.

Mike Christensen

Osage Beach, MO