October 11, 2016

I had my right hip resurfaced, BHR, by the amazing Dr. Peter Brooks in 2008. I was 50 yrs. at the time and due to an injury I developed severe avascular necrosis.  The surgery was a huge success and my hip is still going strong.  I developed bone on bone arthritis, which ended up with avascular necrosis in my left hip, because I had to put off surgery longer than I wanted to because my husband had unexpected health issues which required more immediate attention.

When I was able to take care of my hip, at the age of 59, I was devastated to find out Dr. Peter Brooks could no longer do BHR on women.  I was sick about this.  I had such a wonderful recovery with my right hip with no problems whatsoever.  My right hip feels like a normal healthy hip!  I was so upset having to face a total hip replacement.  I felt like I was going from a Cadillac to a Chevy as far as procedures and devices.  I was so afraid of all the limitations and possible revision surgery down the road with a THR.  It was so unfair.. especially since the reasons for BHR to pull it from the market for women and small framed men didn’t really show a real problem with the success rate in this group.  I would still rather have a HR and take the risk for THR down the road if necessary.

After MUCH research I miraculously found Dr. Michael Mont who was new to my area at the Cleveland Clinic from Maryland.  I was also so impressed with all the research I did on him .. I felt hopeful for the first time in a very long time.  I was able to get in with him sooner than expected because his apts weren’t all booked yet .. that’s how new he was to the Cleveland Clinic.  I had my surgery on 9/22/16.  I went into surgery prepared for the possibility of a THR because he said he wouldn’t know fur sure if I would be a good candidate until he opened me up (I have beginning stages if osteoporosis). If he had to do THR .. I would be getting g a dual mobility hip.  The hip resurfacing would be Biomet (even though he uses BHR too).

Thank God..at least with him I had a CHOICE! I felt like I was in such good hands with him and grateful for the chance to have the hip resurfacing option vs. THR in such qualified hands.  He was able to do the Biomet hip resurfacing and I was so relieved and happy to find this out when I opened my eyes in the recovery room.  I’m almost 3 weeks out and progressing great.