18Years

[willsie01]

I started having walking difficulties with pain in my left knee over 20 years ago in my late 40's.
Eventually diagnosed with avascular necrosis causing the surface of my ball joint to collapse. Consultant put me on his list for a THR but I was never going to make it to surgery anytime soon because I was too young. So, I carried on with the pain and walking difficulty. Then I came across the BHR and very soon made my mind up to go privately and have it done, despite the severe warnings from my NHS consultant of its unreliability. So, left hip done in 2000 and still going strong 18 years later with absolutely no problems. 4 years later the avascular necrosis hit my right hip and that was done by the same consultant but fortunately on the NHS because by that time it was an accepted procedure. So, right hip only 14 years old(!) but that's going strong too. Unfortunately, I don't think the BHR is so readily acceptable on the NHS anymore because of the widely publicised problems with some devices. Fortunately, there is a long enough history of the well made reliable devices for people to make confident decisions nowadays. Incidentally, I have since heard that the surgeon who designed the BHR device, Derek McMinn, does not consider patients with avascular necrosis suitable candidates for his devices, so I am very pleased neither my consultant or I knew of his concerns before I had my procedures!

[blinky]

I love this post. Here's hoping we all make it to 18 years. At least!