JRI

[rob webb]

Does anybody have an opinion on Dr. Amstutz and Dr. Smalsried at The Joint Replacement Institute in Los Angeles, CA?

[Pat Walter]

Hi Welcome to Hip Talk

Both are excellent and very experienced. Check out James Roxbugh's story  http://www.surfacehippy.info/jimroxburgh.php  Dr. Schmalzreid bi-lat.  My neighbor in Marietta OH went to him also in 2005.  He had one hip done and could not be happier. It cost him $26,000 out of his pocket to use a really experienced surgeon.

I have several Dr. Amstutz stories here  http://www.surfacehippy.info/hipstories.php  These two were amoung the first few hip resurfacing surgeons in the US. They are very experienced and have many happy patients.

Some people think Dr. Amstutz is getting old, but Karen did not think it made one bit of difference  http://www.surfacehippy.info/karenmcnulty.php

I don't have any personal experience with them since I went to De Smet in Belgium.  If I had money or insurance and lived out the west coast, I would have considered them.

Make our appointments and talk with the doctors.  She what your gut feeling has to say to you.  You need to feel good about the doc you are using. You have quite a few in CA  http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.php but none more experienced than those two.

Pat in Ohio
3/15/06 LBHR De Smet

[Vicky]

Hi Rob,

I had a consult with Dr. Amstutz prior to having surgery.  I ran into insurance issues and ended up going to Dr. Bose.  Dr. Amsutz is an excellent surgeon with a ton of experience.  Dr. Scmalzried tends to be a lot more conservative with his choice of candidates for resurfacing from what I have heard. I am sure he is an excellent doc but if he tells you that a THR is find for you, I would recommend getting another opinion.

Vicky

[kriyamon]

I worked with JRI for several months and believe in their doctors, but their administrative system drove me absolutely nuts.  Be prepared for the beauracracy of your life.

I'm scheduled with Dr. Ure on Oct 8 and so far it's been like night and day admin wise.  Dr. Ure and his staff are available and very helpful.  They have made everything very simple...