Update:  11/14/07 Michael reports no problems with Wright C+ resurfacing (3/31/03) at 4 years, 7 1/2 months

April 6, 2010

I am a diagnostic radiologist in North Carolina.   I joined Yahoo Surfacehippy over 8 years ago.   I just passed my 7th resurfacing anniversary. Like most surfacehippys, I really don’t think about my hip much doing my daily activities.   My scar is barely noticeable, range of motion is fairly normal.   I am repeating my updated story below. I am a non-athletic but active person. Avid snow skier, traveler, gardener. Developed osteoarthritis in left hip only and after 4 years could only walk 150 feet with a cane. 5’8”,  weight increased to 192 lbs before surgery due to inactivity. Resurfacing was part of the Wright C+ Clinical Trial at Duke (Dr. Vail) 3/31/03.   No special preparation.   No transfusion required.   Had combination of local anesthesia, IV sedation and sub-dural spinal anesthesia.  No general anesthesia. I was not aware of the surgery, or time passing.    Home 4 days later.    Returned to work 17 days after surgery.   First week rough until leg swelling went down.   Worked as hospital based Diagnostic Radiologist doing procedures on patients. No rehab at all. On crutches 4-6 weeks.   “Lost my cane” 4 weeks later and just gradually returned to normal activity.   I am not fond of formal exercise so no rehab, GYM, swimming etc. 11 months later I was able to Ski for a week in Snowmass Colorado (I am a very fast skier on groomed slopes.) Incision healed with no special care. Now barely noticeable. I dieted by using common sense and portion control. Weight down to 163 lbs at 16 months.. I am continuing to be aware of how I spend my calories. Skied for a week in Colorado, Feb 2010 with my family I retired from my full-time Hospital Radiology practice in June 2005 at age 60 (after 29 years at this location) I interpret all modalities CT, MRI , Ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear medicine, routine X-ray, Bone Densitometry, Fluoroscopy and more.    I now work part time covering other radiology practices. I have authored many posts on this site in the past regarding anesthesia, interpretation of imaging exams, bone densitometry, blood transfusions and other subjects including the role of the FDA with regard to clinical trials.   They can’t do anything unless Congress changes the law. It is up to the manufacturing company to request the final stages of the approval process. I also lost every level of appeal to BCBS of NC (the administrator) but eventually got my real group insurance company through NC Medical Society to pay for my surgery at DUKE 14 months later. My original cost was under $29,000 but this was reduced and the insurance company paid much less (about $ 13-14,00) .   BCBS of NC now routinely pays for resurfacing with FDA approved devices. The good news is that despite everyone’s worries, very very few of those posting on this site have not had good results with resurfacing no matter where, or when performed.   As time goes on, resurfacing training will be part of most Orthopedic Residency training programs.    More and more younger orthopedists will accept this procedure as an important part of their practice. This has been true of innovations in any medical specialty. Don’t push too hard, and everyone will eventually recover, and return to the activities that they enjoy. I am now 7 years post op and generally never even remember about my former hip problems. Best to all hippies!! Michael (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail at Duke in NC    ( Dr Vail is now in California.)

April 6, 2010

I am a diagnostic radiologist in North Carolina.   I joined Yahoo Surfacehippy over 8 years ago.   I just passed my 7th resurfacing anniversary. Like most surfacehippys, I really don’t think about my hip much doing my daily activities.   My scar is barely noticeable, range of motion is fairly normal.   I am repeating my updated story below. I am a non-athletic but active person. Avid snow skier, traveler, gardener. Developed osteoarthritis in left hip only and after 4 years could only walk 150 feet with a cane. 5’8”,  weight increased to 192 lbs before surgery due to inactivity. Resurfacing was part of the Wright C+ Clinical Trial at Duke (Dr. Vail) 3/31/03.   No special preparation.   No transfusion required.   Had combination of local anesthesia, IV sedation and sub-dural spinal anesthesia.  No general anesthesia. I was not aware of the surgery, or time passing.    Home 4 days later.    Returned to work 17 days after surgery.   First week rough until leg swelling went down.   Worked as hospital based Diagnostic Radiologist doing procedures on patients. No rehab at all. On crutches 4-6 weeks.   “Lost my cane” 4 weeks later and just gradually returned to normal activity.   I am not fond of formal exercise so no rehab, GYM, swimming etc. 11 months later I was able to Ski for a week in Snowmass Colorado (I am a very fast skier on groomed slopes.) Incision healed with no special care. Now barely noticeable. I dieted by using common sense and portion control. Weight down to 163 lbs at 16 months.. I am continuing to be aware of how I spend my calories. Skied for a week in Colorado, Feb 2010 with my family I retired from my full-time Hospital Radiology practice in June 2005 at age 60 (after 29 years at this location) I interpret all modalities CT, MRI , Ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear medicine, routine X-ray, Bone Densitometry, Fluoroscopy and more.    I now work part time covering other radiology practices. I have authored many posts on this site in the past regarding anesthesia, interpretation of imaging exams, bone densitometry, blood transfusions and other subjects including the role of the FDA with regard to clinical trials.   They can’t do anything unless Congress changes the law. It is up to the manufacturing company to request the final stages of the approval process. I also lost every level of appeal to BCBS of NC (the administrator) but eventually got my real group insurance company through NC Medical Society to pay for my surgery at DUKE 14 months later. My original cost was under $29,000 but this was reduced and the insurance company paid much less (about $ 13-14,00) .   BCBS of NC now routinely pays for resurfacing with FDA approved devices. The good news is that despite everyone’s worries, very very few of those posting on this site have not had good results with resurfacing no matter where, or when performed.   As time goes on, resurfacing training will be part of most Orthopedic Residency training programs.    More and more younger orthopedists will accept this procedure as an important part of their practice. This has been true of innovations in any medical specialty. Don’t push too hard, and everyone will eventually recover, and return to the activities that they enjoy. I am now 7 years post op and generally never even remember about my former hip problems. Best to all hippies!! Michael (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail at Duke in NC    ( Dr Vail is now in California.)

April 05, 2006 Follow-up (L) C+ at Duke I have not had time to post in many months. I am a diagnostic radiologist in North Carolina. I joined this group over 4 years ago. I am a non-athletic but active person. Avid snow skier, traveler, gardener. Developed osteoarthritis in left hip only and over 4 years could only walk 150 feet with a cane. 5’8”, weight increased to 192lbs before surgery due to inactivity. Had surgery at Duke (Dr. Vail) 3/31/03. No special preparation. No transfusion required. Had local anesthesia, IV sedation and sub-dural spinal anesthesia. No general anesthesia. I was not aware of the surgery or time passing. Home 4 days later. Returned to work 17 days after surgery. These were rough until leg swelling went down. Worked as hospital based radiologist doing procedures on patients. No rehab at all. On crutches 4-6 weeks. “Lost my cane” 4 weeks later and just gradually returned to normal activity. I am not fond of formal exercise so no rehab, GYM, swimming etc.

11 months later I was able to Ski for a week in Snowmass Colorado (I am a very fast skier on groomed slopes.) Incision healed with no special care. Now barely noticeable. I dieted by using common sense and portion control. Weight down to 163 lbs at 16 months, now about 156 lbs. I am continuing to be aware of how I spend my calories. Skied this past March 2005 at Park City Utah (3 ski areas) I retired from my full-time Hospital Radiology practice in June 2005 at age 60 (after 29 years at this location) I interpret all modalities CT, MRI ,Ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine, routine X-ray, Fluoroscopy and more. I have authored many posts on this site in the past regarding anesthesia, interpretation of imaging exams, bone densitometry, blood transfusions and other subjects including the role of the FDA with regard to clinical trials. They can’t do anything unless Congress changes the law. It is up to the manufacturing company to request the final stages of the approval process. I also lost every level of appeal to BCBS of NC (the administrator) but eventually got my real group insurance company through NC Medical Society to pay for my surgery at DUKE 14 months later. My original cost was under $29,000 but this was reduced and the insurance company paid much less (about $ 13-14,00) The good news is that despite everyone’s worries, very very few of those posting on this site have not had good results with resurfacing no matter where or when performed. Don’t push too hard and everyone will eventually recover and return to the activities that they enjoy. I am now 3 years post op and generally never even remember about my former hip problems. I am wondering if Candace C., and Eric G. are still looking at this site. They both had surgery at Duke about 4 years ago (in Durham, NC). I hope that they are doing well. Best to all hippies!! Michael (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail at Duke in NC

April 05, 2006 Follow-up (L) C+ at Duke I have not had time to post in many months. I am a diagnostic radiologist in North Carolina. I joined this group over 4 years ago. I am a non-athletic but active person. Avid snow skier, traveler, gardener. Developed osteoarthritis in left hip only and over 4 years could only walk 150 feet with a cane. 5’8”, weight increased to 192lbs before surgery due to inactivity. Had surgery at Duke (Dr. Vail) 3/31/03. No special preparation. No transfusion required. Had local anesthesia, IV sedation and sub-dural spinal anesthesia. No general anesthesia. I was not aware of the surgery or time passing. Home 4 days later. Returned to work 17 days after surgery. These were rough until leg swelling went down. Worked as hospital based radiologist doing procedures on patients. No rehab at all. On crutches 4-6 weeks. “Lost my cane” 4 weeks later and just gradually returned to normal activity. I am not fond of formal exercise so no rehab, GYM, swimming etc.

11 months later I was able to Ski for a week in Snowmass Colorado (I am a very fast skier on groomed slopes.) Incision healed with no special care. Now barely noticeable. I dieted by using common sense and portion control. Weight down to 163 lbs at 16 months, now about 156 lbs. I am continuing to be aware of how I spend my calories. Skied this past March 2005 at Park City Utah (3 ski areas) I retired from my full-time Hospital Radiology practice in June 2005 at age 60 (after 29 years at this location) I interpret all modalities CT, MRI ,Ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine, routine X-ray, Fluoroscopy and more. I have authored many posts on this site in the past regarding anesthesia, interpretation of imaging exams, bone densitometry, blood transfusions and other subjects including the role of the FDA with regard to clinical trials. They can’t do anything unless Congress changes the law. It is up to the manufacturing company to request the final stages of the approval process. I also lost every level of appeal to BCBS of NC (the administrator) but eventually got my real group insurance company through NC Medical Society to pay for my surgery at DUKE 14 months later. My original cost was under $29,000 but this was reduced and the insurance company paid much less (about $ 13-14,00) The good news is that despite everyone’s worries, very very few of those posting on this site have not had good results with resurfacing no matter where or when performed. Don’t push too hard and everyone will eventually recover and return to the activities that they enjoy. I am now 3 years post op and generally never even remember about my former hip problems. I am wondering if Candace C., and Eric G. are still looking at this site. They both had surgery at Duke about 4 years ago (in Durham, NC). I hope that they are doing well. Best to all hippies!! Michael (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail at Duke in NC