Dr. Su or Dr. Gross: Both have excellent reputations, how did you decide?

[ocwa80]

Hi there,

I'm new to Surface Hippy. A 45 year old male, with globally moderate and focally severe arthritis in my right hip. Bummed to have to deal with this at a fairly young age but grateful we live in a time where options are available and to the wealth of wisdom and the spirit of sharing on this website.

I'm in-network with both Dr. Su and Dr. Gross. Met with both and while they have different personalities I felt comfortable with their expertise and professionalism. Probably not a new question for this forum, but would love to get a fresh take on why you may have went with one over the other?

Both have a great reputations but Dr. Su seems to get more work from professional athletes who are presumably surrounded by a small army of medical professionals. Curious why this might be the case?

These days both are using the same MoM device.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

[MattFL]

I can't directly address your question as I used a different doctor, but I saw a blurb a little while ago about robotically assisted resurfacing potentially giving a higher chance of success than unassisted.  My hip was already done so I didn't read past the headline and I don't remember where I saw it, but it would probably be worth at least doing a little homework on that to help you with your decision.  Good luck!

[BillM]

I'd throw Dr. Pritchett in the mix as well.  No bad choices here. When I had my hip resurfaced four years ago it came down to the type of implant they used and to a lesser degree location.   I chose Dr. Gross

[Danlalane]

@ocwa80 This is a journey I went on as well (was roughly your age). I considered all options and spoke to all the major hip resurfacing surgeons. I narrowed my final two to Gross and Su. I honestly think you can't go wrong with either. I went with Dr Su for these reasons: 1\ Age - Dr Su is younger and will be available longer for my second hip, any revisions needed etc 2\ HSS: Is the #1 ranked orth hospital in the world. God forbid something went sideways I would be at HSS and in NYC, not South Carolina (no offense) 3\ NYC is close and easier for me to get to for follow up (I am in Boston). 4\ At the time I wanted cemented - so I could get back at it sooner, with no restrictions. I don't think this applies any longer. I am happy with Su, and it was a lot more expensive.

[FannieSnead]

Can I ask something?

[Pat Walter]

There has always been a lot of talk about robotic surgery being better than manual surgery for hip resurfacing.  I have talked with many experienced hip resurfacing surgeons at conferences and most say the very experienced hands and minds of the excellent hip resurfacing surgeons is better than a robotic placement.  Hip resurfacing is more of an art than just skill.  Components must be placed at the proper angles for a long term successful outcome. So most the top surgeons do not use robotic assistance.

I even Googled the subject and found a similar response which I post here:  Robotic-assisted hip resurfacing offers enhanced precision for implant placement, potentially preserving more bone and improving long-term outcomes, but
surgeon experience is paramount, with many experts from sites like Surface Hippy stressing that technology is a tool, and a highly skilled, experienced surgeon (especially for complex hip resurfacing) often yields superior results over a less experienced surgeon using a robot. While robots improve accuracy, studies show no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes between robotic and manual total hip arthroplasty, highlighting that a surgeon's skill in choosing and executing the right approach is key. 

Benefits of Robotic Assistance (Generally for Hip Procedures):

• Greater Accuracy: Robots help with precise implant positioning (cup angle, leg length).
• Bone Preservation: Better accuracy helps keep healthy bone and tissue intact.
• Reduced Complications: Potential for fewer revisions and better long-term function. 

The Role of the Surgeon (Especially for Resurfacing):

• Precision is Critical: Hip resurfacing requires extremely high precision, more so than total hip replacement, notes Surface Hippy.
• Experience Matters Most: A surgeon's deep experience with the specific resurfacing technique is often cited as the single most important factor for success.
• Robots as Tools: Technology enhances, but doesn't replace, surgical expertise; an experienced surgeon using the robot (or manual methods) is generally preferred. 

The Verdict:
For hip resurfacing, an experienced surgeon (often one who does many resurfacing procedures) is generally considered more crucial than robotic assistance alone, as the surgery demands a high level of manual skill and judgment. Robotic tech adds value by improving consistency, but it's the surgeon's expertise in complex cases that truly dictates success in this specialized procedure. 


That was very similar to what I heard surgeons say.  There was a study teaching new doctors hip resurfacing with robotic assistance which Professor Cobb ran.  I will post that too, but I would always take a really experienced hip resurfacing surgeon before a newer surgeon using robotic assistance.  Just my opinion after have a hip resurfacing 20 years ago which is still perfectly good, never having any problems.  Here is a link to the Professor Cobb study:   https://surfacehippy.info/surgical-robot-pilot-study-in-uk/