Joe Virag’s Bilateral Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Schmitt 2017
Read complete original article here:
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2019/03/22/joint-replacement-michigan/3202286002/
It was two years ago that Joe Virag of Dearborn Heights, a dedicated runner…
…was told that he needed a joint replacement — and his running days were over…
…Virag found a metro Detroit orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Schmitt) who specializes in a type of unconventional hip replacement surgery known as a Hip Resurfacing that is commonly pursued by male patients under 60 who wish to stay active. ..
…Virag went on to have both of his hips replaced in late 2017. He has been back to running for almost a year and says he remains pain-free. And neither he nor Dr. Schmitt are worried about this exercise regimen prematurely wearing out the new hips.
Joe’s Original Story and Posts on Hip Talk Discussion forum:
July 11, 2017
This March I was diagnosed with moderate to severe arthritis in both hips. The right is restricting my running and the left is not much better. I cannot run even a couple miles without pain afterward. Needless to say when the first doc I saw told me to stop running and (eventually) have surgery I was devastated. Another doctor later I find out my growth plate slipped when I was growing up. This created a deformity and arthritis was unavoidable, per the doc. In retrospect I believe he’s correct, based on my remembering [growing] pains in my legs when I was around 12 years old.
July 28, 2017
We met with Dr. Schmitt yesterday and he confirmed I’m a candidate for BHR on both hips. Now it’s a matter of scheduling. Looking at first hip in early November.
January 3, 2019
December marked my one year bilateral BHR operations with Dr. Schmitt in Commerce, MI. In short, this is was a wonderful method to reduce hip pain and improve mobility! My hip pain is down a great deal, so much that I’v never taken an ibuprofen or other OTC pain pill since my early operations recovery! Yes, my pain is reduced that much:) Further, I’m back to running between 3-6 miles per week. My pace is slowed, my range is shorter, my stamina is reduced, but all of these are slowly but steadily improving as time marches on. My ROM is steadily improving and I’m very pleased with it overall.
I have a noticeable grinding/rubbing sensation on the outside of my right hip (only noticed when going up stairs or other steep incline) which they attributed to bursitis. My instructions are to roll my IT Band. I have been rolling and yes, the rubbing sensation is reduced.
The one year x ray images show the parts are well aligned in both hips.
My right hip was operated on in November 2017 and my left hip six weeks later in December 2017. So basically Thanksgiving and especially Christmas I was laid up. But in reality, this ended up to be a good plan because as the weather here in Michigan grew better, so did my hips. When Summer arrived I was running my first steps post op. The only regret was we had a lot of snow here last winter and my lovely wife got stuck shoveling multiple times.
Here are suggestions based on my hip arthritis experience:
- Get multiple doctor evaluations. Do not necessarily accept the first diagnosis. Why? Doctors, like all of us have bias. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, rather it’s human nature.
- Do your homework on BHR. Read all you can. Search forums like this one. Ask questions.
- Find a good doctor (like I did). Evaluate the doctors comfort level with operating on you.
- Have good support at home. You’re going to need it for post op recovery.
- Walk, walk and walk. As. Much. As. You. Can. It’s important!
Bilateral BHR Birmingham Hip Resurfacing turned out to be a winner for me. I hope it can be for you also.