Revision to THR

[spike]

First off thanks for all the help & support everyone has given me.

I have either read or listened to all the surgeons’ comments about trying to save this resurf.

The cup was placed too deep & for whatever reason it is now at  55 degrees & in the CT appears to be loose (the operative notes it  was recorded  at 40  degrees).

To be honest, it never felt right from the beginning. The reason I can qualify this is because I had my first resurfacing done 8 years ago. I know what a successful resurfacing feels like!

At my age (61) and with my preexisting health conditions I have decided to go with the biomet dual mobility hip.

The surgeon Keith R. Berend, M.D., has done many SUCCESSFUL resurfacing revisions, & after looking at my Xrays he feels confident that my case is pretty straightforward. This is the most positive response I have gotten.

The surgery is using the anterior approach. He is one of the foremost surgeons the U.S. doing this procedure.

He has assured me, and I have confirmed it with some of his patients, that my range of motion will be as good, if not better than a resurf and surfing by late next spring won’t be an issue

I am only in the hospital one day after surgery and can fly home 2 days later. Cane for 10 days then no support unless needed after that.

It's the least invasive procedure out there and in the hands of a skilled surgeon is very successful.

The thought of having my femoral bone cut and augured is something I have never wanted to do, but have to face the facts.

This has been a difficult decision on my part. I have fought this battle for over 7 months.

I have either read or listened to all the surgeons’ comments about trying to save this resurfacing.

I can’t tell you how many tests; I have been subjected to, how many emails and phone calls, and worst of all, how many hours I have spent staring at a cell phone waiting for surgeons to call me.

I have been in contact with Drs Su, Gross, Boise, Prichett, Amstutz, DeSmet, McMinn,& Prof. Dr. M. Faensen about saving the resurfacing.  They all agreed that there was a serious problem.(McMinn missed it completely)

"No guarantees , we have to do something custom, we have to get a compassionate permission from the FDA to use this,,,,, use a dyplasia, bridge, some other hybrid, or flat out "we wont do it", have been the general consensus.

I have to accept that this is one battle I'm not going to win but pray that I will win the war....

I can't afford to gamble with a cup only revision in the states, or to Europe with the odds I have been given for success.

I'm at peace with my decision and appreciate all the help and time everyone has put into this.

I'd especially like to thank Ron van Mierlo.

If this post can help just one person not to have to go though what I have please, when you talk with any surgeon about resurfacing MAKE CERTAIN that if it all possible he use the smallest acetabular component he can safely utilize.

Mistakes do happen. If my surgeon had thought it out and gone with a 56mm & not the BHR 58mm (He certainly could have, confirmed!)  I wouldn't be losing my resurfacing next month.

Always, if possible  leave yourself the option of saving yours.....

[Dannywayoflife]

Your in my prayers mate!

[hernanu]

Man, spike - sorry to hear about that. You fought the good fight, but like you said, you stand to win the war.

I've got several friends and acquaintances who are doing well with a THR, which although for me is a second choice, it is still very effective when it's called for. The point is to get you back on that board, and that looks like it's a reality.

Keep us posted, it would be great to hear you're back on board.

[Spanielsal]

Hi Spike, I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences. I wish you luck with your surgery but can tell you that my (mini) THR feels no different to my resurfacing on the other side.

Hopefully that will be you, back to active life. Good luck,

Sal

[daylily]

Hi Spike,

Just to say that I had a revision to a THR after my re-surface went wrong and it has been brilliant.
No problems at all even with a bone graft where the cup had been rubbing.

Take care and good luck with the surgery
x

[Tim Bratten]

Hi Spike
Like I mentioned in my e-mail, a well done revision to THR doesn't seem to be such a bad deal. This was a 4-day holiday weekend in Argentina and here's how I spent it: I cut the grass (large yard, unassisted push power mower) and did yardwork on Friday, drove four hours to some nearby mountains and hiked (steep) about 8 miles on Saturday, hiked in (very steep) with a backpack (not too heavy) one hour to some cliffs and climbed six new route mostly 5.9s and 5.10s on Sunday, then hiked up another steep hill (maybe five miles round trip) on Monday before driving back home four more hours in the car. Today I'm at work and my revised hip feels just fine. I'm 7 months post-op.

Good luck! 

[Mike D]

Excellent Tim-
That kind of post is music to my ears-great activity levels, no pain-bring it on!
I struggled long and hard over the news that my resurfacing chances were slim but one day-no particulaar reason, nothing special happened- I just thought ' Right, these are the bones I've been blessed with, what's the best thing I can do to get fixed?'
I got the very best I could have hoped for, and the regrets of the resurf not happening just faded away-very quickly, as it happens.
I'm 50 but have no worries about it-who knows how revision surgery will be in 20/25 years? There may be many more options for us by then, I'm not going to dwell on it, just enjoy what I've got.

Spike-you too are at peace with your decision, and have a good surgeon- get back on that board after your revision and embrace it- Best Wishes, Mike.

[fenceman]

Good luck.  I pray everything goes well.

Bill