Tim’s Bilateral Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Schemitsch 2005-2011
I was just in the process of referring Dr. Schemitsch to a friend of mine who is torn between using him and another surgeon… so on a whim googled this “rating” page and just thought I’d relate my experience Let me start by saying in reference to “terrible experience” below who really hasn’t had any real “experience” other than a problem with punctuality at the clinic … that I, on the other hand, have had considerable personal experience with surgery and post op care from this doctor. I have had BOTH left and right hip replacement surgeries using the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedure of which Dr. Schemitsch was one of the first in the country to embrace as a hip replacement procedure available to patients who were younger and physically active. Prior to this, surgical (total) hip replacements were recommended only for older patients due to the limitations and 1/2 life of the procedure and hardware. No doctor would operate on me because I was too young even though I was in chronic pain from the osteo arthritis, trying all kinds of anti inflammatory drugs and with a very limited list of activities that I could enjoy for more than about 10 minutes. I had my right hip replaced in 2005 and my left in 2011. I was 51 and 57 years old respectively. I have always been active and athletic… partially the cause of my arthritis due to injury but in both surgeries I emerged from the procedure pain free. I am 60 years old now and playing squash regularly again. Not only playing but competing again… in the top 20 players of my club and beating many who are close to 1/2 my age. To me… that is the bottom line. There is no rating star below for “How successful was your surgery” because if there was I would give Dr. Schemitsch a 6. Have I had to wait around in his clinics for hours … yes. Did it bother me that he obviously overbooks his time and schedule? Yes… and I spoke to him one day about it after being there for twice as long as “terrible” below. So is there room for improvement in his time management and organization … absolutely ! But in my case I researched the procedure and those who applied it … attended the clinics and info sessions and yes… spent a lot of time reading in the waiting room but when it came down to the job at hand, his staff were excellent, he was very informative and patiently answered all of my researched questions, scheduled me for surgery (both times) within a 3 to 6 month window and established annual follow up visits… but I do not attend annually because of the inconvenience discussed below. Care at St. Michaels where Dr. S is the Head of Orthopedic Surgery was very good, for the most part, nurses were professional and thorough. So here’s my bottom line… if you want a top notch surgeon working on your knee or hip, utilizing state of the art procedures with very good post op care and no waits or inconveniences then get your check book out and go south of the border. If you’re more results oriented and your bank account is limited AND you can deal with inconveniences in regard to clinic appointment times then I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Schemitsch. He has given me the ability to once again enjoy the activities that I love to do, within reason, and therefore enjoy life itself. So contrary to “Terrible Experience” below who has not actually had a surgery with Dr. S. I say to anyone reading this… IN CONCLUSION, IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 60… He is one of the ONLY doctors that you should consider for (hip) surgery. Thank You Dr. Schemitsch.