Resurfacing As An Option

[JWI1335]

I had a resurfacing done about 7 years ago with great results;  the hip was very badly deteriorated but is as "good as new" ever since the surgery.  I had a top surgeon.
Unfortunately I'm now having issues with the other hip and will have to have that one done as well.   I have been told by my orthopedic that essentially, resurfacings have fallen "out of favor" even by the top docs in lieu of THR's.  I got the impression that it may be insurance driven because of issues/problems that have arose with some resurfacings.  I haven't seen anything here that to support that.   Can anyone comment?
Also, this may be a bit of a stretch to ask, but I lost a kidney since my resurfacing and was also told I don't want to consider another resurfacing with the metal issue on one kidney.   Does that in fact, disqualify me from another resurfacing?

[catfriend]

Aaargh >:( ! Last year the BHR was withdrawn in the US in sizes 46 and under (for smaller men and women) because there had been some issues. When I mentioned the possibility of a resurfacing for myself to my longstanding orthopedist he referred to them as "disasters". THIS IS NOT TRUE. I then sought out a resurfacing specialist (Dr. Pritchett) and had my right hip resurfaced in January. It now feels like a hip that never had arthritis. When my left hip completely fails Dr. P will be resurfacing that one as well.

The best resurfacing surgeons are those that have done a lot of them. This a very small number of orthopedic surgeons. These surgeons do resurfacings day in and day out with excellent results. You don't mention where you are located, or if you are male or female. If you're a woman you may have to search harder to find a surgeon who uses a non BHR device, but as my result indicates said suregeons can be found.

I don't know the answer to your kidney and MoM concern. The Synovo Preserve device that Dr. P uses is ceramicized metal with a cross-linked polyethylene sleeve, so no MoM issues (nor the 'clunking' that some HR patients refer to).

My advice to you is to do more searching.

[blinky]

I'm with catfriend. Fewer doctors are doing resurfacing, but those that do it do it well. Make contact with a few on the lists here, guys who have done a lot. Ask them about your kidney issue.

[Pat Walter]

Hip Resurfacing is as great an option for hip replacement as ever.  There are still many surgeons in the US performing HR.

http://surfacehippy.info/surgeons-with-1000-hip-resurfacings/

You can read about many individual surgeons current information here:

http://surfacehippy.info/category/hip-resurfacing-for-women-and-small-men/   As you can see there are a few surgeons still using the BHR for women and small men. Other surgeons using other devices, with great results, for hip resurfacing.

The reason I keep this website active and growing is to try to keep the message out there - hip resurfacing is still an excellent option for good candidates.

I would check with some of the top surgeons to see if you are a candidate and be sure to tell them about your concern for your kidney.  Don't be bashful - ask the questions and try to get more than one answer.

Pat

[blinky]

If you are a woman, read the second article in this list from Dr Gross' site.http://www.grossortho.com/patient-education/scientific-publications. An experienced doctor has great results from resurfacing, even when working on harder cases, like women with dysplasia. (This paper hadn't come out when I made my choice about a year ago.)


There is a paper out there that looks at the results of men under 55 with HR vs men under 55 with conventional THR. The men with HR do better. When I get home from the holiday, I will look for it if no one else posts it first.


I posted an anecdote recently about a neighbor who needed a new hip and let herself be persuaded that HR was no good for her without talking to a surgeon who does HR. She ended up with an unsatisfactory THR. Just a story, but I thought it  underlined the importance of consulting with someone who actually does the procedure before making a choice.

[JWI1335]

I appreciate the info on the Synovo system.  I did not know there was a non metal-on-metal option.
FYI...I'm male.  Dr. Mont resurfaced my first hip 7 years ago.   If I can go with resurfacing, there is no one else I would prefer to do it.   My problem is he's moved on the Cleveland Clinic and the logistics are problematic.   

[Saf57]

If I recall correctly, Mont was in the Baltimore area. Perhaps NYC would work for you. I would look into Marwin at NYU or Su at HSS.

[JWI1335]

Yes, Dr. Mont was at Sinai in Baltimore.
I've thought about NYC, HSS and Dr. Su specifically.   I grew up in North Jersey right outside the city.   I would prefer not to drive there, but it makes sense; a great choice and only about a 3 hr. drive.  I had thought about it the first time around, but Baltimore was an easier trip.
One key factor in my consideration is whether or not I can go with resurfacing.   For me, M on M may neither be feasible or advisable.   I'm trying to find out if there is a non M on M option.  I know Dr. Pritchett is using the Synovo system, but I think he's the only one.   There's an article on this site about the Endure system, developed in Germany I believe, but I don't know if it's in use or how it's performed. 
If I'm stuck with a THR, I think who does it is less critical than a resurface.   

[Saf57]

Yes, if you're stuck with THR, there's numerous docs in every city that do them, and do them well. But it's your kidney situation that should be the determining factor, not that resurfacings have "fallen out of favor", that's just what the entrenched orthopedic community wants you to believe. Best of luck to you.

[gunfighter8]

I have been away from the site for 5 plus years... It's like I never left...
Then the resistance to HR was very evident by the THR community.
I had had a very bad bone on bone for years, my wife of 50+ years (great years) was in chemo for lymphoma.. when she passed.. I went 2200 miles west to Dr Amstutz.
I was 77. Dr A thought the hip was a mess BUT he agreed to do the Resurf.
Now at 82, I do anything I want, climb ladders, crawl in a trawler bilge, am building a motorhome..etc etc.
I have a few local people I know with bad experiences with THR's...revisions, pain etc.
Soooo I would not do a THR but I am but 1 voice.. in the end it's your body.
If I had any advice -Get experience, not someone refusing the tough cases("we don't do anyone over 62") the good guys are not trying to run up the score with the easy cases!!!
I live in SC and had to go to LA to get past the age barrier...

[Pat Walter]

Gunfighter8

Great to see you back.  Thanks for adding an update.  I know many others will enjoy reading it also.

I wish you the very best for many, many years to come.  My BHR will be 11 years old in March, my body will be 72!  LOL

Good Luck.

Pat