I have just been diagnosed with AVN and arthritis of R hip. I am so determined to stay active as a runner; I can do no other exercise as I have bad knees for biking, weights, elliptical, skiing, skating, but I can run up steep hilly trails and ease down, getting enough of the vigor of running.
But my stats look like a resurfacing-disaster waiting to happen--AVN, osteopenia, small-boned, thin, age 51, not menopausal yet. Dr. Michael Clarke in Syracuse told me the unfavorable stats for my case, nevertheless saying that he has done numerous cases worse than me who are doing fine. The anecdotal info that he has doesn't match the bad stats, so he is willing to resurface if I want it badly enough, although 30% of my cases have failure in five yrs.
Help!! I know there are runners and athletes here. You know how much I want to run, even lightly, like 5 miles a week. I am afraid of failure or femoral fracture, and terrified of persistent post op tendon/ligament trouble, which I seem to be prone to anyway. But I won't be able to do anything but swim(yuck!!!)if I have a total replacement.
Do any of you have anything to offer that will help my decision?
ALso, I don't see anyone here who has used Clarke; he trained in UK, 2000 resurfacings to date. Are there any concerns over him? I am beginning to wonder why none of his patients weigh in on these boards or testimonies.
Thanks much