I have a question for those who have one HR hip and the other a natural one in decent shape. When I met with Dr. Gross he was concerned I would not like the new hip since I had so much joint space left. I have the one bad spot on the anterior superior actablum which is causing all my issues on both hips. I am still confused as I have chronic pain, would it not be better to have no pain and a resurfaced hip? Doing another arthroscopy is risky as it may or may not hold up again, i would need to really baby my hip. I am not keen on going that route again.
Can you actually feel the difference with the HR compared to a normal joint?
Thanks,
Larry
I am only 2 weeks post-op, so lots of muslce soreness still, but when it comes to the joint itself, I cannot feel any difference between my BHR hip and my natural hip. My BHR hip had a lot of arthritis and bone spurs, so in fact in actually feels smoother now than before surgey.
Over two years out, after a marathon, a few half marathons, two rounds of P90X, and qualifying for the National Masters Track & Field Championships in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump, I can categorically say "NO". There is no difference.
If it weren't for the metal detectors in the airport, I'd forget that it was even there.
I'm only 10 months out, but my hip certainly feels stronger, more flexible and less irritated than it has in years. I should say that I never had real pain before the surgery, only irritation and discomfort during and after activity. However, I felt my hip was limiting me, and even though I didn't have much pain before surgery, at this point I'm real happy I had the surgery done.
Personally I'm going to say as good as a bhr is it's not quite as good as a fully functioning natural hip. But you do have to do some fairly extreme stuff to find that out
This is a great question. I can feel a difference, but like Dannywayoflife, only if I really push it (like running fast, stepping up with that leg first and carrying something heavy, etc). Every now and then, a little tiny stiff or sore after sleeping (or a really strenuous hike). Overall, I am super happy with it and so glad I did it! I, too, had a lot of cartilage left but lots of osteophytes! Very painful and limited mobility. I can reall do anything I want now!
If you are in a lot of pain, consider it (carefully with an awesome HR Dr!).
Thanks for all the responses I appreciate it.
I don’t think I can justify another two arthroscopic surgeries if the first two failed. I never went back to impact sports, I followed the protocol. I the micro fracture just did not hold up(fake cartilage). I understand Dr. Gross point of replacing a joint that has only a 20% bad spot.
Unfortunately for me the 20% area is a spot that has continuous contact when sitting and any type of squat movement. So I am in constant pain 24/7.
I may seek another hip resurfacing doctors opinion on the entire matter. As stated in another post Dr.Gross will do the surgery if I ask.
Thanks,
Larry
It does sound like it's adversely effecting you buddy!
Ljpviper, I'm wondering whether Dr.Gross misspoke or perhaps you heard him wrong. That question about liking it or not sounds a bit off to me. I could understand him saying that "he" doesn't like to perform resurfacing on someone with so much joint space.
On the other hand, I'm not sure it is possible for someone in any pain to not like the results of a resurfaced hip. The pain is gone and you can go back to any activity you want.
But, I did wonder what it would feel like after resurfacing, like maybe it would feel different.
It doesn't. It's like you have been fixed.
Chuckm
Agree with Chuckm. I think you should talk to Dr. Gross or one of his staff and emphasize how much pain you're in. If they are confident that the HR will relieve the pain I think you should go for it.
Here is what he wrote, let me know what you all think
Mr. Platas does have some residual symptoms in his hip despite hip arthroscopy. This is due to the fact that he does have
small areas of chondral loss in the anterior superior corner of the acetabulum. I do not feel that repeat arthroscopy would be
beneficial. He has tried injections and anti-inflammatory medications and these have not worked. His only option at this point is
to move on to arthroplasty. However with his mild degree of arthritis, I am not at all sure that arthroplasty will satisfy him. I
would estimate with his degree of arthritis that there is a 70% chance that he will be improved with hip arthroplasty and it will
take at least a year to know for sure. If he does choose to undergo hip arthroplasty and he does not like the outcome. There is
no going back to his current hips. I think hip resurfacing offers a higher functional result than total hip arthroplasty, but even hip
resurfacing does not provide a normal joint. If we strongly desire to proceed, I would perform a hip resurfacing form on one side
and wait a year to be sure that he was happy with the result. If we so, we could then do the other side. However, I think there is
high enough chance that he will not be completely satisfied that I would encourage him to live with his condition longer and not
request resurfacing. Unfortunately, there are no other treatments. The only thing I would recommend that would be helpful. I do
not believe that platelet concentrate or stem cell injections have any value. I will recommend continuing a regular aerobic
exercise program such as elliptical and exercise bike because he can tolerate this well. Higher fitness level will allow him to
tolerate the symptoms better. I would not recommend chronic narcotics and he is not requesting these. Since sitting bothers him
the most. He should look into alternative seating option such as high chairs or kneeling type chairs, which will avoid the high
flexion hip positions that bother him. I would be happy to reevaluate him at any time and if he does desire hip resurfacing, I
would perform this for him with the understanding of the limitations I have discussed with him in the detail above.
Hi Larry, I'm sorry to hear of your hip problems but in answer to your question -no I feel no difference between my resurfaced and normal hips. Also, having been involved in the resurfacing community for around six years, although in London UK I have tremendous respect for Dr Gross and have become aware of his work, contribution to the development of resurfacing, care for his patients and numerous positive testimonials. So I feel his current reluctance relates to your 20per cent issue and that you are not classed as end stage arthritis. Maybe he feels that it's worth trying out the other suggested approaches before surgery which is always a last resort. However, I certainly sympathise with the fact that you've most cartilage remaining but unluckily have such discomfort-as others have suggested, have another appointment and reinforce your pain levels.
Good luck
Toby
LHR adept Prof Cobb 30-1-10
Gotta say reading that definitely gives me even more confidence in Dr. Gross.
"When" to have the operation is a real personal decision. One one hand we just want to be fixed and go on with our lives like it never happened. But surgery is always a risk. You can pick the best surgeon, the best everything, but there is always a real risk.
I would weight the risk vs benefit right now and not feel rushed (unless it's flat out something you can't live with). You're a candidate for the surgery now, and you'll still be a candidate next month, next year and on down the line.
Larry, speaking from how my Dr explained my decision to go ahead with both of my Resurfacings especially my second. He told me that the X-rays don't look that bad and to go ahead with surgery would give you a whole different kind of pain, & until it healed completely it could put into a depressed state. We talked about it & I assured him that since it was my second hip I was ready to face the consequences. If you have already been through some failed surgeries you are ready to move on to a pain free life. We are our best advocates. Best of luck to you. Curt
Here is my take on that Larry. First of all sorry for your situation. The comments from Dr. Gross lead me to believe he is really troubled by your symptoms. It appears to me he is implying that your x-rays do not pinpoint for sure the reason for your constant pain levels. Not that you are not experiencing pain but he questions if resurfacing is going to resolve the reasons for the pain you have - like the pain one gets from bone on bone cartilage loss. Since it takes a year or so to really recover from resurfacing, it would be disappointing for you to get there and realize that resurfacing didn't fix it. The way he writes about being disappointed with the outcome does not apply to someone with severe arthritis, I think it is a special instance for your case since he notes that you have good joint spacing.
I guess he needs to be absolutely sure that all of the pain symptoms you have can be resolved with resurfacing. Good luck and keep at it.
Chuckm
I went to my OS today to inject the right side at least for now. I am also going to get a left hip MRI as well.
I like Dr.Gross is so upfront and honest. He is looking out for the patient not just to have another surgery under his belt, he is way pass that.
My problem is I am out of options, either go through another two arthroscopic surgeries to try another microfracture. My OS states there is no data to suggest that it will work a second time.
He will do it but no guarantees, i just dont think its wise to try again knowing that is can fail so easily.
At least with HR i know the damaged cartiledge will be removed. Lets see what my left hip MRI shows.
thanks all for the support...
Your surgeon is pretty dismissive of stem cell treatment!
The technique is being continually refined and there are a few surgeons here in the UK that have a lot of faith in the procedure. It's not just about harvesting the stem cells but then introducing them with a suitable medical scaffold to bond the outcome.
We all have different opinions on stuff on this site and that's life - there are lots of surgeons who are strongly against resurfacing as well and they can't all be right!
All I will say is that my condition is way worse than yours and I have deemed it worth trying stem cell treatment in the hope it buys me time for new materials to become proven in resurfacing rather than metal on metal as I personally feel ceramic will end up being the optimum solution. Now I may end up no better off, but I had one side done 7 weeks ago and am back in on Tuesday so I'm putting my faith in the fact that one of the Worlds leading hip surgeons thinks stem cell treatment does produce tangible results and are working towards publishing results from their 18 month study in 2015.
It is very early days in that procedure, but don't let one guy put you off, seek further opinions and then go with your gut as microfracture is not the same as microfracture with stem cells, so it is something you have not tried yet
Did you just have stem cells injected into your joint?
Quote from: Ljpviper on December 12, 2014, 02:47:30 PM
Did you just have stem cells injected into your joint?
No it was wrapped into a bigger surgery for removal of FAI, labral tear stitched and anchored and coupled with a microfracture - over 2 hours worth!
The important thing seems to be to use microfracture to provide a "key" for the new growth and the mix they use to produce a medical "scaffold" to firmly bond everything so that it has some longevity. Really not convinced that a mere injection would do a lot for a hip
I'm under no illusions about the pioneering nature of this surgery and may end up no better off, but just wanted to flag to you that I wouldn't take one surgeons outlook on this as gospel in that another eminent surgeon will tell you that resurfacing is fundamentally flawed (I had one guy explain it to me as how any engineer will tell you that metal on metal is a bad thing and in an engine you have oil to lubricate and a magnet in the sump to collect metal filings!). My view is that there are significant merits in both, it's just tricky to tell when you have crossed the line from one being viable to needing the other.
If I get an OK outcome with at least one of them then I'll take that as worthwhile and then get back to looking at resurfacing on the other!
Who did the surgery Dr. Villar? Not many surgeons are using stem cells. Good luck with that, I would stay away from impact sports, ie running and jogging. I believe that's what made mine fail as I was ok for a couple of years after the surgeries.
Thanks,
Larry
Quote from: Ljpviper on December 13, 2014, 09:57:11 AM
Who did the surgery Dr. Villar? Not many surgeons are using stem cells. Good luck with that, I would stay away from impact sports, ie running and jogging. I believe that's what made mine fail as I was ok for a couple of years after the surgeries.
Thanks,
Larry
Thanks Larry
It was at the Villar Bajwa practice in Cambridge but by Ali Bajwa who is very talented and Mr Villars protégé and business partner.
One of the reasons for having both done so close together is so that I can rehab properly. It would be too tempting to return too soon if doing one at a time so as to get a bit of normality ahead of starting the process again
Quote from: HippyDogwood on December 13, 2014, 05:02:14 AM
I'm under no illusions about the pioneering nature of this surgery and may end up no better off, but just wanted to flag to you that I wouldn't take one surgeons outlook on this as gospel in that another eminent surgeon will tell you that resurfacing is fundamentally flawed (I had one guy explain it to me as how any engineer will tell you that metal on metal is a bad thing and in an engine you have oil to lubricate and a magnet in the sump to collect metal filings!).
Hi HippyDogwood, I just read this and wanted to figure out why you are so opposed to resurfacing. You have been lurking on the site I see. But your impression of resurfacing is way incorrect. In my case I trust my surgeon - BUT - I trust and verify. My first surgeon did not like resurfacing and I was upset because before I went to see him I had done much research and knew of the successful track record of the BHR. He knew nothing but acted like he did. I think you should do more research and you will find how wrong that surgeon you spoke of is about resurfacing.
On the other hand I do think you are making a good choice to pursue stem cell therapy with microfracture. You must be a good candidate for that type of approach. The good thing is you will be no worse off if it doesn't work. But don't be upset by Dr. Gross's remarks. He is just like me - until there is lots of data to say it works well, then it has no value. Not that it doesn't work and not that it won't work for you.
My whole point here is that I didn't like your "fundamentally flawed" statement at first but then I wanted to help because you are avoiding resurfacing based on that conclusion. I'm on the other side like many here and I really doubt I am going to look at cortisone or stem cell/platelet ect. when resurfacing works so well. And the result isn't an improvement really, it's a fix.
Chuck
On the other hand
You've had a lot of replies. I just want to add that I have bilaterals. I run, bike and swim, two workouts a day and if it wasn't for the hassle at the airport, I wouldn't know that I ever had a problem or had it fixed.
I'm almost 4 years post op.
I honestly think day in and day out - there is no real difference between my operated hip and my natural one.
My "natural" hip is starting to experience *some* problems but it's not nearly ready to be replaced... and in that sense it is different from my operated hip.
I think my only limitation is that if I jog/run after about 3/4 of a mile or a mile - i start to notice some discomfort. i have read about people doing marathons on their new hips... for whatever reason, that dind't happen for me.. but the only real discomfort i get is after a run.
i ride my bike.. i've gone 10, 15, 25 miles..and never had any pain. i play basekteball, racquetball.. no pain. only running.
my range of motion is a bit less flexible with my operated hip vs my natural one. but here is the weird part... say I run a mile or two... my operated hip might feel sore right after i run..but the next day it feels 100% normal.
but that next day my "normal" hip might flare up and throb for hours....
in all honestly, I think my oprated hip is better than my natural one..in that I do NOT get any of that nagging arthritic pain... my "natural" hip is starting to get that arthritic pain here and ther and when it comes..it comes on for hours... and it reminds me of how bad my old hip was...
it's not bad enough to warrant surgery..but time will tell when it is..and when it is, you can be sure i'll be flyign back to see Dr. Gross.
i'm 100% glad I fixed my hip. it was the best thing I did.
I went from 24/7 pain to being pain free and enjoying life again.
Yep my bhr side is so so much better than my other side. What we have to remember is that when we have a resurfacing done it is a foreign body and will never be as good as a fully functioning healthy hip. However I can only tell this when doing some fairly extreme stuff and I would say it's about 90-95% as good as my natural hip used to be prior to OA setting in.
Thanks for the replies, the last two posts really help my decision on what to do to going forward.
I think I am going to go with hip resurfacing. I had a cortisone shot on Thursday, it did not help.
I don’t think its wise to risk another arthroscopy if the first ones have failed. There is nothing that will be done different this time around, so I have
my doubts it will last.
The pain is 24/7 unless I am laying down. Also, I am not bending my hips properly to pick up objects, etc. My knees are starting to take a beating, and my back will be next.
Its silly to wait and risk more issues with other joints, no doctor has a solution for a grey area patient, so I will move forward with hip resurfacing. I don’t want to be another five years with these hip issues like the last five, I am over it.
I don’t see the point in waiting if there is no solution available.
Thanks,
Larry
Quote from: chuckm on December 16, 2014, 10:16:32 AM
Quote from: HippyDogwood on December 13, 2014, 05:02:14 AM
I'm under no illusions about the pioneering nature of this surgery and may end up no better off, but just wanted to flag to you that I wouldn't take one surgeons outlook on this as gospel in that another eminent surgeon will tell you that resurfacing is fundamentally flawed (I had one guy explain it to me as how any engineer will tell you that metal on metal is a bad thing and in an engine you have oil to lubricate and a magnet in the sump to collect metal filings!).
Hi HippyDogwood, I just read this and wanted to figure out why you are so opposed to resurfacing. You have been lurking on the site I see. But your impression of resurfacing is way incorrect. In my case I trust my surgeon - BUT - I trust and verify. My first surgeon did not like resurfacing and I was upset because before I went to see him I had done much research and knew of the successful track record of the BHR. He knew nothing but acted like he did. I think you should do more research and you will find how wrong that surgeon you spoke of is about resurfacing.
On the other hand I do think you are making a good choice to pursue stem cell therapy with microfracture. You must be a good candidate for that type of approach. The good thing is you will be no worse off if it doesn't work. But don't be upset by Dr. Gross's remarks. He is just like me - until there is lots of data to say it works well, then it has no value. Not that it doesn't work and not that it won't work for you.
My whole point here is that I didn't like your "fundamentally flawed" statement at first but then I wanted to help because you are avoiding resurfacing based on that conclusion. I'm on the other side like many here and I really doubt I am going to look at cortisone or stem cell/platelet ect. when resurfacing works so well. And the result isn't an improvement really, it's a fix.
Chuck
On the other hand
Thanks Chuck but you need to read my post again as you are attributing statements to me that just aren't there. For instance the bit you highlighted and took issue with was a statement a surgeon made, NOT me!
The point I was making is that everyone has opinions and they can't all be right. Dr Gross' opinion on stem cell treatment is neither any more or less valuable than one of the UK's top hip experts (who I will not name here) who is totally opposed to resurfacing - the quote was HIS saying HR is fundamentally flawed.
Fortunately I have my own mind and can decant lots of information to make rational decisions that I feel are best for me. I would take resurfacing over THR all day long, and remember I already had my surgeon lined up for HR whenever that may be.
However, stem cell seems a root worth trying - you are right, I have lurked and will lurk here for a while and have probably done as much research as anybody as I like to make informed decisions; the reality is that whilst one can minimise the downside risk, we all know that HR (like most surgery) carries risks and this site is not only members who have had a great result through HR, some do everything right yet face revision because MOM is undeniably the weak link in the procedure. That is an area I think will improve through evolution of material choices but until then my preference is simply not to have ion levels as a life consideration until I have no option other than THR or HR (which is where I thought I was 6 months ago before offered stem cell treatment) Who knows, I may be back to looking at HR in the next 12 months, I just hope stem cell will give me some time
I think the strength of this site is sharing honest information so we all find a path that works for us - its a great resource and whilst Pat is clearly a huge advocate of HR, she doesn't want us all to be blind HR fanboys, but to share experiences for the greater good in the way that she has had a great result from HR.
I responded to this post as a fellow member was being left to feel he had no options which I didn't think was right, hence wanted to throw out there another avenue of thought. But don't take me as anti HR or misinformed, as that's some way off the mark but appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and glad all has gone well for you
David
That's a good reply HippyDogwood. But if you have done that much research then you must know what a poor analogy it is using metal parts in an engine to describe what happens when someone has a hip resurfacing. But it does highlight that even eminent surgeons can have a poor understanding of metallurgy and so they stay away from learning about it.
I am with you on the stem cell thing for sure. It will be useful for many people.
Chuckm
The path we all take to our resurfacing(s) or THRs is individual and has waypoints that others may not.
Some of us have waited for a long while, canceling procedures and then doing them later. The best thing in my opinion is to wait until you are sure that this is the right way for you. Until then, since this is major surgery, I think you take your time and come to a decision. This is important in my mind since recovery is work. If you have come to the right attitude and are all in, your recovery will go better.
So many of us have tried different treatments, changes in diet, exercise regimens, etc. to find an alternative to surgery. Many of us have taken or are in the process of taking the step to an HR or a THR. I preferred an HR for all of the positives that I see in this site.
Other treatments may work for a person, some are established but don't address the full problem if you have osteoarthritis, others are the future (I believe) but may not be ready for true effectiveness yet.
I think (my own opinion) that stem cells are an exciting possibility for true natural treatment, but is not yet developed to be a full treatment the way HR is. I may be wrong, but until it's clear that it works as reliably as HR, I am still enthusiastic about it, but awaiting its true birth.
I think you're still charting your own path, HippyDogwood, so lurk away as long as you need to and use all of the information here to support your decision. If you use the information here, and make sure that you are still a good candidate for HR, then that option, an excellent one for this point source of information, will still be open and available to you.
In the end it's a very personal decision which most of us have faced and come to. None of us would have had surgery without needing it. So the lack of options is there, since this disease is not reversible and must be dealt with at some point.
I think I would have been in a wheelchair if options were not available, so for me, while not minimizing the bad results that some of us have suffered (which we've seen here for people we value), the choice in my mind is one that had to be made, and made with current choices (HR, THR) not ones that will be realized in the future.
The happy thing in my mind is that both allow a return to normalcy. I went with HR because I wanted to be as active as possible and liked the minimized impact it offered.
I also went with full knowledge of the possible failures, which I think is important for a true decision to be made. Nothing is guaranteed, but I think I have great odds in my favor.
Well said. Each has their own pain or discomfort and therefore a decision to make. For me, experiencing real discomfort after 90 mins in the saddle on a proposed 4 hour ride ticked the box. I have woken up, got out of bed thinking 'feels ok today, should I be having surgery?' But then at least 5 times during the day I wince. That can't be right.
Can't run, can't kick a ball with my kids = no brainer, even though at times it still feels ok. Although stiff and sore.
I like to deal with things, therefore its getting done. Time will tell if it was right but better making a decision than not making one at all.
This site has affirmed my reasoning and posts like those previous to mine give us real hope.
Thanks for the info and opinion, it really does help.
Thanks Hernanu much appreciated and will keep checking in, participating in debates and see where circumstances take me over the next few years.
I'm just one of those people who like to make fully researched decisions and reading good honest feedback (whether good or bad) on sites like this is a godsend.
And if anyone is wondering - two scopes with cartilage anchoring, fai removal microfracturing and stem cell treatment 8 weeks apart is pretty challenging rehab as you have to be more careful than HR over weightbearing!
Wishing all a Happy Xmas
Hi Larry,
I believe we are in a very similar scenario. I had two failed scopes, my joint space is good in the X-ray, but I have some severe pain. I had microfracturing on both hips. I had full chondral wear in weight bearing areas. At the time of surgery, it said 2cm x 2cm. And mentions of different grades of 3 to 4 on the Femoral head. So, I'm not sure what it really means. There is space on the x-ray, but the operating report talks about a lot of grade IV wear.
De Smet, Treacy, and Bose all told me I have enough cartilage and resurfacing isn't optimal at this time.
3 tops FAI surgeons told me there is a strong chance I won't get better from another scope, and 2 of them said there is a good chance it will get worse. The scopes definitely worsened my situation the first and second time around.
There is a Dr. Fontana in Italy who I spoke with about the stem cells, but they still use MF on the femoral head with no scaffold of the stem scells; that makes me skeptical and I have little confidence in MF and the scope at this point.
I will see eithe Treacy or De Smet in person soon and see what they think of my situation in person. I will let you know what they think.
Mr Treacy has no problem operating on me right hip even though X-rays show joint space. He made me have an MRI though and this shows a total loss of cartilage on the femoral head and similar in the socket. X-rays do not always show the full story
Wow, your case is just like mine, I also have roughly two centimeters found. How long did it take for your fai/microfracture surgeries to fail?
I was reviewing old MRIs from 2010, the one for my right hips states no arthritis. When I had surgery 4 months later he found that huge spot of grade 3 arhritis, just on that one spot.
No way you can get arhritis in four months. Imaging for hips is just so inaccurate, this can have a huge impact on saving your joints. I believe if caught early your hips can benefit from arthroscopy, but once arhritis sets in, entire different outcome.
While I would love to try another arthroscopy with stem cells to try to save my hips there is just not enough proof out there to risk it. I believe one day stems cells will be the saving grace for all joints. Also, the hip bears so much weight, that specific chrondal loss I have is the most weight bearing of the joint, so makes it even more difficult to correct.
I am sending my info to Dr Su next I am not staying like this. My knees are really starting to bother daily, 4 painful joints is a show stopper for me, time to do something about it.
Thanks all. Larry
This is interesting, as the other poster mentioned providing a scaffold for the stem cells to adhere to is key.
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/stem-cell-treatment-to-repair-torn-meniscus-very-close-121214#2
Very cool. I know several friends who've had meniscus tears, regrowing them would be a blessing.
I can see needing something to keep the stem cells around, since they are "pre" cells and can change to any cells needed, you want to catalyze them to become the cells you want in the area you want.
Very cool.
I don't think the MFing did anything for me. I never had any relief. I'll let you know how my consultation goes in a couple of weeks.
I had micro fracture done to the knee. Specifically behind the knee cap and in the trochlear groove. Fibrocartilage grew fully over the 10 mm patches and covered both lesions completely. I have pictures the surgeon took from a subsequent arthroscopic procedure to remove a large floater in the same knee a few years after the MF.
The knee became functional enough to return to competitive soccer. That was over ten years ago and I still play to this day.
The cartilage loss was due to a specific injury due to an accident years earlier that brought on osteoarthritis in front compartment of knee.
The MF did help provide relief to the cartilage surfaces but had no effect on all the other problems that come with OA, like enlarged joint, bony spurs, and a wider knee cap. These issue continue to get worse and the "new" cartilage is wearing out.
So, the end result from MF was a knee joint that was improved enough that I could go back to soccer - but it still hurt. Sometimes quite a bit as the tendons and ligaments had to deal with the bony problems when active.
At no point did the successful MF on my knee come even close to the level of pain relief and functional restoration that my resurfacing gave to my hip.
Stem cell therapy with MF is very interesting. But just like with my MF, it will not be addressing all the bony issues that accompany OA. I suppose if you have specific cartilage loss in the absence of OA then this could be very successful over long term. But if you have some OA it's going to require shaving away some bone spurs and maybe some repairs to the labrum in addition to the MF. And then you will be where I was with my knee. It works much better. But it is sore.
In light of all the posts about stem cell I will certainly consider seeing if I am a good candidate as my other hip deteriorates but since I know I already have developing OA I will not be surprised if I choose resurfacing knowing the total relief it brings.
Chuckm
Larry,
When your OS did your hip scopes did he note any arthritic changes? I had bilateral hip scopes done in 2012 for labral tears/FAI. When he did the scopes he found bone on bone (femoral head grade 4 changes). My MULTIPLE hip xrays have continued to show "normal" spacing. I started having somewhat sudden pain 9 months after my right hip repair and my left hip started having issues just months after the repair.
I had hip resurfacing in the right hip 2/17/13 and wow, what a change. Dr Brooks brought up the normal hip spacing in my consultation. He said that some people don't get 100% relief from resurfacing that they hoped for but he would proceed with my hip resurfacing. Maybe ortho docs say this to everyone?
I have really struggled with the left hip-esp with sitting/riding in a car. I went for a 1 mile walk/shuffle as an experiment this week and my new hip did great-a little sore the next day but what concerned me was the terrible pain in the left hip afterwards.
I see my doc- Dr Brooks @ CCF later this month and I'm sure we will be discussing surgery #2.
I guess what I am saying is that I too, have put up with hip pain for years and although my recovering hasn't been a picnic, I'm just not in the pain that I was before for years and see good days ahead. I'm not looking forward to another surgery but the new hip sure does feel better than the one that doesn't!!
Beth
14 months post op and my BHR joint and hip feels great. get the occasional clunk and my gait has changed completely. Pain free and able to do things I couldn't do years ago. The muscles and ligaments I guess can only get stronger as for the joint itself its better then my real hip. My operated leg isn't as straight as the other but I think this is due to muscle weakness and wearing orthotics for 20 plus years. Glad I did it and wish I had done so a few years earlier. Am envious of people who can run marathons post surgery. I miss my running but cycling is not a bad substitute.
I just saw De Smet and similar to what you have been told, I have been told as well. He also mentioned people who had unsuccessful scopes feel pain more so than those who never had it with simlar physical examination and x-rays.
He said there are a lot of unsatisfied patients who weren't "bone on bone" and advised me to wait.
So what do you do for the pain? I mean living in pain is not a good option either.
Kinda feels they left us grey area patients with no options.
Larry
I don't do anything for pain. I don't where to go from here. Maybe if run, workout hard and do some extreme sports, I can burn through the cartilage and be a likely candidate sooner.
Have you made any decisions?
I am just trying to keep working on my core, i was not bending correctly so my back and knees were feeling it. I am now squatting to pick stuff up and watching form.
No one has any answers.
Larry
If you can't do surgery yet, I'd recommend looking for a yoga/stretching class. I've been doing one the past 3 months in preparation for my surgery at the end of this month and it's made a huge improvement in my flexibility and pain. My hip still aches constantly, but my muscles are feeling much better. In particular my lower back has been much improved.
I'm really tight in the hip flexors and adductors, and it was a struggle doing a lot of basic things like putting on my socks. It's still not great compared to someone with good hips, but I'm able to put on my socks without too much trouble.
I still can't do some of the yoga moves, and won't be able to until I've had the surgery but that's OK. The instructor's good about dealing with mobility issues. It was embarrassing at first to see all these women with their knees pulled into their chests and there I am on my back barely able to get my knees up to 90 degrees, but worth it in the long run.
Hi Larry. Reading the first part of your post " I would not like the new hip since I had so much joint space left". Similar to mine. "your hips are a young man heaps of joint space" except when you MRI them.
Go for it from my experience and get a life back if the surgery works out. I have so many times been pushed out the door due to that joint space thing which is not correct. I have also asked Dr De Smet about that same issue as having too much joint space which has caused total failure of the operation (too much cartilage). Dr De Smet has replied "there is a way around this" so I am confident it would not be a failure.
Good luck all the best.
Hi Larry.
I have read through the post. Sounds like you had impingement wear and similar to me sort of.
Scoped and labral tears done 2013. problems sitting, walking, riding, bike just normal stuff. Hip checks out mild to moderate wear anterior to posterior.
Same the surgeons in NZ will not do work on it due to it is not extensive enough damage to warrant a successful op. (severe)
It has been like that for 7 years now and no change. They do not go off symptoms only off pictures. What do I do lie down for the rest of my life because that it what is forces you to do. The drugs prolong will damage you so its not a pretty picture. The hip does not seem to deteriorate as it is injured and maybe not in degenerate stage. You seem to get left in limbo. I hobbling human. You seem to have an offer on the table resurfacing looks to be the best option as I can see with results. I would go for it get a life back. Marathons with prosthetic's? looks only good from that point. All the best with your choice.
Quick update, met with Dr. Ratterman this week. First I was shocked how his practice is run, I have never seen a new patient flow so smoothly. I signed in at 110 my appointment was at 115, I was in the room at 118. I saw his PA took 7 X-rays and then saw the doctor. Kudos to him and his staff.
He stated to not go with another scope, it would be like stirring up a hornets nest. Also, which I found very interesting,he noted some bone re growth on the femur from earlier x rays. This was corrected by my OS but it appears some grew back maybe causing impingement again. This is something never mentioned by hip scope surgeons. At my age 43 he said HR is the only viable solution.
So it's decision time
Thanks,
Larry
Hello Larry. I just picked up on this great thread a few minutes ago. I received almost identical comments from Dr. Gross when I first began to see him almost three years ago. At that time I had already had one injection that was working very well to address my hip-related groin pain. He looked at my xrays and said that I have almost no cartilage left in either hip. After examining me, he said (and I quote), "I'll do the surgery if you want me to, but I don't recommend it. I don't think you would be satisfied."
This left me a little stunned. Here I was nearly bone-on-bone, already on the injection train, unable to walk significant distances without groin pain, and within 9 months of being forced onto Medicare (which he doesn't accept). I simply couldn't understand why he would make a comment like that if, like so many here profess, HR is a fix that makes your pain go away (i.e., what's not to be satisfied with about that??). He recommended that I continue on doing those exercises that were tolerable, maybe have one more injection, and then come back when things were worse. I left feeling confused and wondering if my Type A perfectionistic personality was not the real issue here.
Over the next 2.5 years, I followed his exercise instructions. I also had another injection which didn't help at all. Then a friend of mine saw me limping down the street one day as I was attempting to complete a 2 mile walk. He told me I looked like an old man. He said, "why don't you go see Dr. Gross like my wife did and get something done about your hip." I was on the phone that afternoon making an appointment with Lee, Dr. Gross' PA (Unfortunately, Medicare had already claimed me by then. Thankfully, Lee accepts Medicare and she is GREAT!). When I went in, I got new xrays and it appeared that I was finally bone-on-bone in my worst hip. Dr. Gross and Lee wanted to make certain that I was feeling worse than when I first came to see them. After that, he seemed much more comfortable about proceeding with the surgery.
The rest is history. Today I am 10 days post-op and recovering amazingly well. I am still a little confused about the need to wait since I was clearly headed to bone-on-bone. Also, I will freely admit that I will be very disappointed if this operation leaves me with the same type of groin pain that I felt pre-op. That being said, I highly recommend that you choose Dr. Gross for your surgery. If he is on board with it, I don't see how you can do any better. Good luck and keep us informed.