Resurfacing for small people : first steps and questions

[rag33]

Hi, I'm 43 and live in France (but am from New Jersey). I've been an avid runner since I was 13, running track, cross country, road races, marathon. 5 years ago, I started getting lower back pain and hip stiffness but the osteoarthritis wasn't confirmed until 7 months ago when I could barely walk. I haven't run since January 28th but who's counting especially since I can barely walk these days.  It's ironic because one of the best hip resurfacing specialists, Dr Girard, is right down the road at my "local" hospital but I am too small. So during a bought of frustration and tears, I contacted Dr. De Smet who is just over the border in Belgium. He answered immediately and is managing to fit me in for a consult in 2 weeks. But I'm a little scared...He is very confident that he can "fix" me. So if he's so confident, why is the French specialist so against small resurfacing? I just want to get some feedback from people who have been there or who are going through the same thing as me. Thanks a lot !

[Saf57]

I believe that the manufacturer of the BHR device is no longer supplying smaller sized resurfacing components, you can read about this issue further on this site. Dr DeSmet I think uses a different manufacturer (Conserve) for smaller sizes, so he is continuing to perform resurfacing on those(mostly women) who no longer can use the BHR device.

[catfriend]

Yes, smaller sizes of the the BHR device have been withdrawn from the market. For small men and women this leaves the number of devices, and surgeons who use them, limited. Dr. De Smet, Dr. Gross, and Dr. Pritchett currently all resurface small men and women with alternate devices. Dr. Girard may be good, but if he's only using the BHR then he won't have the device for you.

[karlos.bell]

Yes ask DeSmet.
I have his report (I cannot attach it as it is too big) BHR to Conserve stuff.

Cheers K

[rag33]

Dr. Smet explained it all to me...so I understand why now. I was worried that it had been taken off the market for bad reasons, but actually that's not at all the case...I have surgery scheduled for the end of November but still am not 100% committed because of the cost

[Slinkycarrot]

Good luck, I had a double with him and I’m a 58kg,  5’6 woman.

Being pain free is worth remortgaging your house in my opinion

[Saddlepal3]

Having just undergone a revision to my 2006 metal-on-metal surfacing, If I were you, I would seek a device that is not metal-on-metal. As Catfriend states, there are several top surgeons who are using different materials for small-frame patients. I thought I had dodged a bullet, but after 12 years I was developing signs of metallosis. 5’3”, 120 lbs. Good luck!