I live in the Sierra Foothills, am a retired teacher
and have just received my 2nd resurface ( left May ’07) through UCD Medical in
Sac, CA. Last year it was a BHR and all was well. This new device is the Corin
Cormet model. Same Doc for both surgeries. With the BHR I was fully weighting
the leg at 2 1/2 weeks, but this year post-op orders say to be on crutches for 6
wks. Two days ago, at 10 days post op I got some loud squeaking from the older
BHR when I was going upstairs – even some resistance from the joint. Researched
the noise – Dr. De Smets “peepcreep” which helped define the problem.

The squeeking went away for a couple of days, but just
returned this AM. Today marks the first day I can switch to ibuprofen, as I have
been on Luvenox injections for a blood thinning regimine since the op.. The
surgeon at UC Davis Med Ctr that has done both hips is Paul DiCesare, head of
the Orthopedic Surgery Div.. When he did the BHR he had only done about 10
resurfacing procedures, but with this Cornet he is at about 50. I realize that
is not huge experience, but he was the only option in my area for insurance
purposes. Last year we went through three appeals with Blue Shield to get
authorization, and it was only after pulling in the CEO of the Schools medical
trust ( I have been a county/district rep on the employee benefits review
committee for 24yrs.) that we broke down the resistance and it was approved.
This year the approval for #2 was without issue. Even though the process of
recovery seems much slower with this year’s procedure, I am looking forward to a
complete recovery. Hopefully, I will be able to return to the gym next week to
use the pool – last year that was significant in the speed of my recovery. It
will be interesting to compare the difference, if any, between the two devices.
I do know that, besides the squeek, I have been getting a lot of clicks and
minor thunks from the BHR – sounds that would lead me to believe that the
capsule is not as “tight” as it could be. Although I just retired as a Learning
Sp teacher, I have also been a lifetime mechanic. Wouldn’t it be nifty to have a
sealed capsule membrane system using a sythesized senovial “grease” with the MOM
ball and cup. These joints in new mechanical technology get significantly more
stress and wear over 20-25yers than we would ever put on our own joints. Oh, for
the possibilities.

Please feel free to post as you see fit. Thanks again for your insight and all
the work you have done to assist other Hippies.

Bob Hart