RE: THR Benefits? V confused - Any advice anyone?

[Guest guest]

Thought you'd be interested in this Q & A from the WebMD joint

replacement board which has an orthopedic surgeon answer readers'

questions:

" Topic: Joint Replacement: Ira H. Kirschenbaum, MD >> Discussion: THR

vs. resurfacing by bookr

THR vs. resurfacing

by bookr, on 9/11/2003 7:38:30 PM

Does resurfacing permit a higher level of activity after recovery

than THR?

Re: THR vs. resurfacing

by Doctor_K_MD_WebMD, on 9/14/2003 12:08:50 AM

No a resurfacing does not give you better function. A resurfacing

procedure, at least for now remains VERY controversial. Long term

studies not done by developers or people with financial interest in

the success of the product have not been done to a satisfactory

level. Resurfacing may be a great path but the data is not there yet.

While there would be less dislocations, failure rate and pains levels

are higher. Also, very few surgeons have significant levels of

experience despite what they may advertise on their websites or in-

office literature.

Dr. K.

[Guest guest]

You also say: " there's a

> possibility it will last me the rest of my life. "

At your age, I don't think there's ANY hip fix that's going to last

the rest of your life unless it's a very short one! If someone has

told you this, they are making an irresponsible promise.

I think you need to be realistic about this. The working theory of

resurfacing seems to be that the head of the femur is not lopped off

and that's a good thing because then there's something left to lop

off later when your resurf fails and you heed a THR. But don't

forget that to do the resurf you DO have your pelvis reamed out and a

cup inserted similar to the THR procedure.

Also please read my previous reply to your post.

Whichever you choose, be sure you have a surgeon who has done many

hips just like yours and one whom you trust. Take someone with you

to the dr. appointments, to take notes if nothing else so you don't

forget what was said. Make up your own list of questions to ask.

[Guest guest]

--

I would go over to the " TOtally Hip Support Board " and ask your

question there. There are many people on that board who have had

the resurfacing done and could answer your questions.

Jim

- In Joint Replacement , " moragmc100 "

<morag.mcintosh@b...> wrote:

> I'm a 22 year old woman and I have pretty severe bone on bone

> osteoarthritis in my right hip as a result of congenital hip

> dislocation. The time has come to do something about it as it is

> affecting every aspect of my life. I've seen a few doctors and so

> far most seem to be pushing for me to go for hip resurfacing which

I

> am very open minded about. However one doctor I have spoken to is

> completely against it - he wants to take the plate out of my hip,

> wait two years (or longer if I can bear it) and then give me a

THR.

> I feel inclined to go for the resurfacing as if it is successful

my

> quality of life will be regained much quicker and there's a

> possibility it will last me the rest of my life. THe only problem

is

> that I feel like this option is being 'sold' to me from almost

every

> angle and because of this I don't know if I'm being given the full

> picture.

> DOes anyone know of why this other doctor (who is well respected

in

> his field) is so against resurfacing?

> What are the benefits of a THR over a resurf?

>

> ANY advice/opinions/musings greatly appreciated

[Guest guest]

Lots of info on Hip Resurfacing in England and it at least two

areas in US (LA and SC). Also go to www.activejoints.com

as another site. You should be able to search for hip resurfacing on your web

browser. The websites for Dr. Gross in South

Carolina and for a clinic in LA

give benefits of resurfacing versus replacement.

Philip D. , SVP

3600 West 80th Street

Benfield, Inc

Mpls, MN 55431

Direct: 952-886-8085

Fax: 952-886-8099

Cell: 612-963-5093

philip.campbell@...

THR Benefits? V confused - Any advice anyone?

I'm a 22 year old woman and I have pretty severe bone

on bone

osteoarthritis in my right hip as a result of

congenital hip

dislocation. The time has come to do something

about it as it is

affecting every aspect of my life. I've seen a few

doctors and so

far most seem to be pushing for me to go for hip

resurfacing which I

am very open minded about. However one doctor I

have spoken to is

completely against it - he wants to take the plate

out of my hip,

wait two years (or longer if I can bear it)

and then give me a THR.

I feel inclined to go for the resurfacing as if it

is successful my

quality of life will be regained much quicker and

there's a

possibility it will last me the rest of my life.

THe only problem is

that I feel like this option is being 'sold' to me

from almost every

angle and because of this I don't know if I'm

being given the full

picture.

DOes anyone know of why this other doctor (who is

well respected in

his field) is so against resurfacing?

What are the benefits of a THR over a resurf?

ANY advice/opinions/musings greatly appreciated

[Guest guest]

Hi Morag

My mail is probably a bit late in reply to your but I am in a

similar possition with having CDH from birth-now 31. I think for

some of us resurfacing is out of the question depending on what the

x-rays show as we have never had proper hip joints from birth so

resurfacing a joint which has never been 'normal' may sometimes be

an option, sometimes not depending on what your x-rays show about

how deep the socket is etc. I certainly know in my case with cdh hip

resurfcing would not be an option. I guess you need to find out how

long the resurfacing will last if they think you are a suitable

candidate, vs a THR which should last 15 years or more,

good luck and I hope I haven't confused you more,

Leigh