Just got my new hip!

[kfmcmahon]

Hi,


I posted this in the general section first, but thought it may be more appropriate here...


I am currently 7 days post-op and thought I would introduce myself.
I am a 44yo male with a series of sports injuries (hockey/skiing) to my right hip back in my teens and twenties.  About 10 months ago started to gradually develop moderate sharp r hip pain with walking,running.  The pain got worse, more frequent and longer in duration for several months despite NSAIDS, intra articular steroid injections and laying off weight bearing.  Had a hip scope in March for FAI associated with severe OA of the hip....still no relief...Had Biomet HR last week and am feeling much better ROM and much less pain already!

Doing 2 sets of PT exercises daily, spinning on the stationary bike and walking every hour with crutches and 75% wieght bearing.   I am cautious about being overly optimistic with my recovery so soon after sx, I don't want to over do it.

Day of surgery was brutal (pain, N/V, feeling out of it, lack of sleep etc...), stayed in-hospital for 2 days then went home and got many days of much needed sleep and feel unbeleivably good now!


In hindsight I should have skipped the 'scope back in March---what a waste--but I wanted to try all non-invasive options first---I am a physician so I know what to expect from major ortho sx!!

Many other Orthopedists I know/work with recommended against resurfacing in lieu of THR....for now I am really glad I didn't listen to them!


Kevin

[ScubaDuck]

Kevin-

Congrats!  It sounds like your recovery is going well.  I will be right behind you with a LBR scheduled for August 1st.  I have a similar story but 8 years older.

I would love to hear more of how you arrived at your decision for a HR instead of THR.  Your perspective as a physician and with your medical colleagues advising against it.

Best wishes on your recovery.

Dan

[Pat Walter]

Hi Kevin

Congratulations on your new hip!  Many people wish they had not had their hips scoped.  I am sure you will be enjoying the new hip in a few months.  I am glad you found out about resurfacing too.  Take it easy for now and listen to your body.  If you do too much, it will tell you.  Don't forget when you walk - you feel great starting out, but you have to return just as far back as you walked out.  A lot of people forget that.  Just pace yourself for awhile and you will soon walk as much as you want.  I removed your first copy of the story.  This is a good section to tell you hip story.

Good Luck and stay in touch.

Pat

[einreb]

Biomet HR last week and am feeling much better ROM and much less pain already!

who did your surgery?

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're doing great, Kevin. Keep it up and it will pay off.

[kfmcmahon]

Biomet HR last week and am feeling much better ROM and much less pain already!

who did your surgery?

Dr. Matt Phillips, Buffalo, NY

[kfmcmahon]

Kevin-

Congrats!  It sounds like your recovery is going well.  I will be right behind you with a LBR scheduled for August 1st.  I have a similar story but 8 years older.

I would love to hear more of how you arrived at your decision for a HR instead of THR.  Your perspective as a physician and with your medical colleagues advising against it.

Best wishes on your recovery.

Dan

Well, I have many friends and colleagues who are OS's that I work with on daily basis.  I think that since it is a technically more difficult procedure and outcomes are very dependent on experience and # of HR's done, many OS's think that it is either unproven technology or that we will eventually need a THR in the fututre, so why not just get that to start as it may last 20-25 years.

My normal OS referred me to the two guys in town who do 'scopes for FAI and also do HR's.
In all fairness to the original OS who did my scope, he told me the chances of success with the degree of OA I had, was small, but again, I wanted to try least invasive measures first.

After it was apparent that the scope didn't work, I decided to go ahead with the HR....I had to wait 2 excruciating months though as a partner of mine had a TKR done and I had to wait for them to get back to work after her 6 week recuperation!! 

Anyway, the OS who did my sx is a med school colleague and friend and he did an excellent job.
I would recommend him to anyone contemplating HR vs THR.

Kevin

[stevel]

Kevin,

Congratulations!  I also was advised against a hip resurfacing by a local OS (who is reputed to be the best in town).  Fortunately, I found this website and also researched websites of leading hip resurfacing surgeons before deciding on hip resurfacing surgery.
It's a bit disconcerting to buck the negatism of hip resurfacings by "expert" OS's, but we hippies must educate ourselves before deciding on surgery.
 

[juppatier]

You are lucky, I am in N Douglas and I had Dr Pritchett for a hip resurfacing 5 years ago. The operation left me a cripple.
My foot is numb, doesn't work (try to balance with useless toes) and the arch collapses every step I take.
He damaged my sciatic nerve and I have been limping ever since. I had to walk with a plastic device on my lower leg, had to take medication for terrible nerve pain for years and still cannot lift my foot up very high. Consequently I stumble and fall occaisonally which leads to more injuries. My recovery time was long and difficult, it came to a halt about two years after it happened and I am very bitter. Dr Pritchett never apologized and got distant after this happened, probably because he was afraid of getting sued. The whole ordeal was also much costlier than I anticipated, expensive meds for the nerve damage, therapy, nerve specialists and tests.
I still cry sometimes because I can't hike or ski like I used to.