Re: 26 year old Hip Replacement ??

November 8, 2005

Tracey

I even tapped danced on a loose stem. Now that hurt! Now I live too

far away to take the lessons. I would have loved to do ballet. But

alas I grew too tall and my joints too loose. I looked more like the

ugly duckling than the swan!

You only live once, so enjoy the time you have.

Sue

> > >

> > > I too couldnt agree more.

> > > I had my THR in Agust of 2003 at age 37 and Ive just had my

> first

> > > revision in Sept 2005. The reason for the THR in the first

> placed

> > was

> > > to get back to a quality of life for a 37 year old and raise my

> > young

> > > family. My surgeons parting words at my 6 week post op were

> please

> > see

> > > if we can get this to last longer than 2 years. Yes I will do a

> > better

> > > job of looking after the revision but I wont be sitting back

> > saying,

> > > sorry cant do etc (with the excpetion of running and dancing)

> > cause

> > > I might not make it to x years with this new joint. Wrong

> attitude,

> > > maybe, maybe not but we all have to decide whats important to

us

> as

> > > individuals.

> > > Take Care, Tracey

> > >

>

November 9, 2005

your statement was directed at me and I found it patronising,

arrogant and most of all ignorant.

What thinks you knwo my body and mindset better thn I do?

Of course I don't want to mislead anyone into making a irreversible

mistake, and I don't think for one moment that this is what it would

appear I have been doing.

Whereas you may be uneasy with your decision now, I know I will

never be - and what I wanted to tell the original poster, is that

life in your twenities does not have to be the painfilled, agonising

depressing experience that some would have you believe. A solution

is out there!

Why is it better to delay the operation when your condition is

ruining your health? Yes revisions may be necessary - but why is

that necessarily any worse than living with the bone on bone

arthritic pain that I was in?

I'm not saying my resurf will last forever, I hope it will - but

don't actually believe it. My surgeon thinks it will last a lot

longer than I do, I am a bit more pessimistic.

I look after myself and my body and having my original equipment

taken out was a huge decision for me - not one that I took lightly.

I can see you are not pro-resurf - fair enough, each to their own.

You will never convince me resurf is a bad idea after the glorious

painfree 18 months I've just had though.

I did plenty of research into the procedures before having my

operation - would you think I'd decided to have myself cut open on a

whim?

I have a healthy dose of reality thank you very much -

Osteoarthritis in your teens can give you that along with everything

else it delivers!

<I would love to see if your opinion changes in say 20 yrs ater a

revision or two!>

It's almost as if you're willing it to happen just to prove your

point!

> >

> > I would love to see if your opinion changes in say 20 yrs ater

a revision or two!

>

> This site has always been a caring supportive site, your message

I believe was out of order

>

> What a mean thing to say. I am sorry but you sound incredibly

bitter. The person you are

> questioning merely gave her own opinion.

>

> I do not believe that any of the young people on here leap into

a replacement without

> consideration of future revisions.

>

> Myself (quite a bit older than the poster) at 37 when I had both

my hips resurfaced had got

> to the point in my life where it was so painful, everyday life

was a chore, I was constantly

> exausted and could barely walk or stand or sit anywhere for any

time. I made the decision

> to have these replacements knowing that in years to come I will

most likely need a regular

> thr revision, maybe even a few.

>

> I believe you owe the poster an apology.

>

> jane - in Wales

>

November 9, 2005

Jay:

I will chime in, if you don't mind. My resurfacing was a bit over a

year and a half ago. " It " feels totally natural. I have no pain and

I am able to do everything I want to do. I was never a runner and I

don't run much now but I am able to jog when necessary - catching a

train, avoiding oncoming traffic, etc.

(49)

RC2K 48/54 Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> > >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > >

> > > I am 26 and living with avn in both my hips.Not quite sure how I

> got

> > > it the orthopedics think snowboarding played a big rolew.

> Anyways I

> > > had a core decompression on the right hip in " Feb 05 " and it

> works

> > ok

> > > but the pain is shivering at times making sleeping difficult

> most of

> > > the time. Now my left hip is acting up and resurfacing is not an

> > > option for me because I live in Connecticut and my insurance

> does not

> > > cover Dr.Su in NY. Does anyone know anybody my age who has dealt

> with

> > > a problem at my age? What are the restrictions with a hip

> > replacement?

> > >

> > > Jay

> > >

> >

>

November 9, 2005

:

Wow, what a mis-informed doctor!

Resurfacing and Metal-on-Metal THR provide the option for the largest

joint (ball and socket) of any hip arthroplasty systems I am aware of.

The large ball provides good range of motion and resistance to

dislocation.

All the materials wear. Ceramic-on-Ceramic, of the current popular

systems, probably has the lowest wear rates. It has its own drawbacks

too. Next to that, Metal-on-Metal wears significantly less than

devices made with polyethylene - by at least one order of magnitude.

Current lab tests tend to indicate that either Ceramic-on-Ceramic or

Metal-on-Metal devices should outlive even the younger ones of us.

The problem is that, historically, the lab wear simulations have been

notoriously unreliable predictors of eventual performance in vivo (in

us in real daily activities).

The problem with Avascular Necrosis of the femoral head is pretty

limited. I see stats on the order of 1%. But, it can happen. Bad

things can happen to a THR, too.

Unfortunately you concluded that it is this group that is misinformed

when, in reality, the surgeon who gave you that information is at

least equally poorly informed.

(49)

RC2K 48/54 Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> >

> > I would love to see if your opinion changes in say 20 yrs ater a

revision or two!

>

> This site has always been a caring supportive site, your message I

believe was out of order

>

> What a mean thing to say. I am sorry but you sound incredibly

bitter. The person you are

> questioning merely gave her own opinion.

>

> I do not believe that any of the young people on here leap into a

replacement without

> consideration of future revisions.

>

> Myself (quite a bit older than the poster) at 37 when I had both

my hips resurfaced had got

> to the point in my life where it was so painful, everyday life was

a chore, I was constantly

> exausted and could barely walk or stand or sit anywhere for any

time. I made the decision

> to have these replacements knowing that in years to come I will

most likely need a regular

> thr revision, maybe even a few.

>

> I believe you owe the poster an apology.

>

> jane - in Wales

>

November 9, 2005

Clearly your dictir dies not believe in resurfacing. Have you

considered that he may be misinformed?

Has he told you of the metal on metal THRs which have been in place

for 30 years and still in good shape with no detectable damage done

by the terrible metal ions?

Did he tell you that the ball size is reduced? That is a great piece

of misinformation. My cap size is 54mm. Most THR range from 24mm to

36mm ball

Was he able to quote from any case histories of those whose femur

cracked and died? In McMinn's presentation to the FDA earlier this

year, the ongoing success rate of his BHR prosthesis was better than

any THR prosthesis, and no mention of such failures caused in the

manner described.

Noone has ever said that metal on metal does not wear. However,

properly installed it is a self lubricating assembly with very

m,inmal wear charactyeristics. The newer ones such as the ASR are

harder and smoother, cast less metal ions, and wear at 1/20th of the

rate of a BHR (in lab tests.

If you consider encouraging resumptio of normal everyday and

sporting activities irresponsible, you are going to have to argue

with an awful lot of very knowledgeable surgeons. The statistics for

resurfacing are so convincing that there are now about 8

manufacturers - 14 years ago there were one or two.

and Nephew paid McMinn and Treacy 67 million pounds last year

for the BHR prosthesis and its manufacturing company Midland Medical

Technology.I find it very hard to believe that such a prosperous,

large medical company would invest in any prosthesis that has all

the faults that you describe. They put their money where it will

make more money, not where it will lead to early failures and

lawsuits.

When you say that the other thing not considered is the number of

revisions, you gloss over the fact that resurfacing in fact gives

you one extra revision, since in the event of failure you start with

a complete femur for your first THR.

Noone is saying that you can do the Ironman Tri. If you couldn't do

it when you were young and fit before the ostepoarthritis set in,

you still can't do it. Resurfacing does not work miracles. But if

you were that class of athlete before resurfacing, there is every

reason to believe that you can be again. Thus there is an Ironman

competitor with bilateral resurfacing; there is a UK Masters Squash

Champion with bilateral resurfacing (have you ever played squash, it

is hell on hips and knees!) there is a competitive tennis player in

the US and there is a man who recently placed third for his class in

the US karate championships. These are facts, and every one of these

people was supported in their efforts by their surgeons.

Chris

De Smet RBHR June 23,2004

u LASR May 27,2005

> >

> > I would love to see if your opinion changes in say 20 yrs ater

a revision or two!

>

> This site has always been a caring supportive site, your message

I believe was out of order

>

> What a mean thing to say. I am sorry but you sound incredibly

bitter. The person you are

> questioning merely gave her own opinion.

>

> I do not believe that any of the young people on here leap into

a replacement without

> consideration of future revisions.

>

> Myself (quite a bit older than the poster) at 37 when I had both

my hips resurfaced had got

> to the point in my life where it was so painful, everyday life

was a chore, I was constantly

> exausted and could barely walk or stand or sit anywhere for any

time. I made the decision

> to have these replacements knowing that in years to come I will

most likely need a regular

> thr revision, maybe even a few.

>

> I believe you owe the poster an apology.

>

> jane - in Wales

>

November 10, 2005

I disagree with that statement with my whole heart and soul. Do you

know what it feels like to be disabled when everyone else around you

is normal? At least when you are older you have more company in the

disabled area. I would much rather be confined to a wheelchair in my

60's than in my 40's. Besides you may be hit by a truck tomorrow.

So live your life now.

I was 40 for the first THR, 41 for the second THR (revised at 47 last

year), 43 for the first total shoulder replacement and 44 for the

second TSR.

Sue

PS no offence meant to anyone by the above statements.

> > >

> > > Prior to having my first I too was pretty miserable, I

think alot

> > of it was caused by the stress of not knowing if the thr was

the

> > correct choice at the time. When the hip was revised, I too

was much

> > more optimistic for a number of reasons: I knew what to

expect, I

> > knew I had no choice. The hip had loosened and the pain was

much

> > worse than when I had the primary. In retospect after just

having had

> > my third in 10 yrs and realizing I'm facing possibly three

more in my

> > life: I should have waited before the first. I was 46 at the

time of

> > my first. I can't imagine what a 26 YO would face if he did

it now.

> > >

> > > Its deffinately true that we make decisions based on the

> > circumstances we see at the moment and then have to deal with the

> > consequences. Hopefully we make our decision based on all the

facts

> > and don't go into this believing that life will go on normally

> > without penelty.

> > >

> > > What I find most disconcerting are those that post encouraging

> > THR/resurfacing patients to do unrestricted activites; such as

the

> > ironman tri. No doubt these activites can be done but we must

> > realize there is a price to pay!

> > >

> > > Re: 26 year old Hip

> > Replacement ??

> > >

> > > > Hiya

> > > >

> > > > I feel the same about the impact these operations can

have on

> > > > quality of life.

> > > >

> > > > Whilst I can understand the argument for waiting as long as

> > possible

> > > > as revisions may be necessary when your hip is

> > resufaced/replaced

> > > > early in life, I was miserable and totally depressed pre op.

> > > >

> > > > I was entirely bone on bone and in pain every second of

every

> > day.

> > >

> > > Send instant messages to your online friends

> > http://au.messenger.

> > >

November 10, 2005

I was thinking the same thing when I saw that post. I am having the time of my

life now at

66 years old. So much so, that I don't want to screw it up by having a hip

replacement. If I

ever do decide to have one, it won't be before I am 85. lol

Arianne

> > >

> > > Prior to having my first I too was pretty miserable, I think alot

> > of it was caused by the stress of not knowing if the thr was the

> > correct choice at the time. When the hip was revised, I too was much

> > more optimistic for a number of reasons: I knew what to expect, I

> > knew I had no choice. The hip had loosened and the pain was much

> > worse than when I had the primary. In retospect after just having had

> > my third in 10 yrs and realizing I'm facing possibly three more in my

> > life: I should have waited before the first. I was 46 at the time of

> > my first. I can't imagine what a 26 YO would face if he did it now.

> > >

> > > Its deffinately true that we make decisions based on the

> > circumstances we see at the moment and then have to deal with the

> > consequences. Hopefully we make our decision based on all the facts

> > and don't go into this believing that life will go on normally

> > without penelty.

> > >

> > > What I find most disconcerting are those that post encouraging

> > THR/resurfacing patients to do unrestricted activites; such as the

> > ironman tri. No doubt these activites can be done but we must

> > realize there is a price to pay!

> > >

> > > Re: 26 year old Hip

> > Replacement ??

> > >

> > > > Hiya

> > > >

> > > > I feel the same about the impact these operations can have on

> > > > quality of life.

> > > >

> > > > Whilst I can understand the argument for waiting as long as

> > possible

> > > > as revisions may be necessary when your hip is

> > resufaced/replaced

> > > > early in life, I was miserable and totally depressed pre op.

> > > >

> > > > I was entirely bone on bone and in pain every second of every

> > day.

> > >

> > > Send instant messages to your online friends

> > http://au.messenger.

> > >

November 11, 2005

You are very lucky Arianne, to be 66 and not need to have a hip replacement.

Many people

on here are in their 20's and have little choice. I was 30 when my hips really

started going,

choice was new hips or wheel chair.

I am not saying you don't have a life in a wheel chair just that for me it made

more sense

to get my hips fixed, now I can work at my job and do everything I want. I have

just asked

a friend who has a wheel chair and he says he would swap tomorrow for artificial

hips if it

meant he could walk, he is 39 and does lead a good life but he said he knows he

does

miss out.

I am glad I took the chance to " screw it up " by having the hips replaced.

just my two pence worth

jane - in Wales

-- In Joint Replacement , " Ann E. Woods " <arianne377@y...>

wrote:

>

> I was thinking the same thing when I saw that post. I am having the time of my

life now

at

> 66 years old. So much so, that I don't want to screw it up by having a hip

replacement. If

I

> ever do decide to have one, it won't be before I am 85. lol

> Arianne

>

November 11, 2005

Margaret

I am not blaming anyone for anything. But as you age you

naturally " slow down " . Your body wears normally. Your mind is

always improving. By then you can better accept that the body is not

as good as it once was. With a young mind and old body, you may do

anything to feel your age. Youth is wasted on the young.

Take care.

Sue

>

> Hi Sue,

>

> When you are young it is impossible to speak with the knowledge of

> experience and age. I can't speak from the point of view of a

person 100

> years old. I have no understanding.

>

> At each stage of life we have to do what we think is right, and

accept the

> concequences.

>

> I remember when I was 30 saying to a 60 year old, " It is more

important for

> me to walk now than when I am 60 what do you think. " She didn't

agree but

> was kind enough to say that she would have thought the same at 30

and to do

> what I felt was right and live with it.

>

> I could have spent years in pain and with limited mobility to be

killed in a

> car accident, or hit with a bomb. I just need to accept

responsibility for

> my outcomes and not blame other people for them if things don't

turn out as

> I expected.

>

> But don't blame the older people if they offer to share their

wisdom with

> you.

>

> Aussie Margaret

>

> Re: 26 year old Hip

Replacement ??

>

> >

> > I disagree with that statement with my whole heart and soul. Do

you

> > know what it feels like to be disabled when everyone else around

you

> > is normal? At least when you are older you have more company in

the

> > disabled area. I would much rather be confined to a wheelchair

in my

> > 60's than in my 40's. Besides you may be hit by a truck tomorrow.

> > So live your life now.

> >

> > I was 40 for the first THR, 41 for the second THR (revised at 47

last

> > year), 43 for the first total shoulder replacement and 44 for the

> > second TSR.

> >

> > Sue

> >

> > PS no offence meant to anyone by the above statements.

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

http://au.messenger.

>

November 12, 2005

It is a fact that the body wears out. Otherwise we would live

forever. And I did not originate the youth is wasted on the young.

Sorry you don't agree, but don't take it out on me.

Sue

>

> But as you age you naturally " slow down " . Your body wears

normally. >>> Not

> all do in terms of " being feeble or living as an older

non~doer " .... I know

> some " elderly individuals " that live a WAY more active life then

some young

> patients EVER have and in their 60's & 70's their still going

stronger then ever.

> I think they tend to have a little more caustion in their doings

because

> their bones are a lil more brittle, they don't want an injury

because their

> healing time is usually a lil longer. My great-grandmother still

does her own

> gardening, cooks & cleans for herself living independently plus

volunteers part

> time at the hospital on top of many other actvities she has during

her days....

> age has given her a different look in life but other then that...

she's still

> doing everything pretty much the same as she always has. I'm sure

she has

> more limitations then she once did but she certainly don't let them

hold her

> down.

>

> By then you can better accept that the body is not as good as it

once was.

> With a young mind and old body, you may do anything to feel your

age. >>> I

> don't agree... if you've always been a " doer " and life brings upon

you

> limitations which restrict what you can do and it becomes a life

altering change

> then.... AT ANY AGE it would effect you & bring about

disappointments.

>

> Youth is wasted on the young. >>> Youth is wasted because you

permit it to

> be not because you live with limitations. One does not have to run

10 miles a

> day, be able to carry heavy items, bend to touch their toes or even

sit indian

> style while watching TV in order to enjoy their life. Youth wasted

only

> becomes an issue to those who sit back & watch life pass them by

instead of

> getting up with acceptance in what they're given and enjoying their

days.

> Regardless of whether your a hip patient or not young still waste

away their days

> generally not due to limitations though... but instead because of

stupidity in the

> belief that every moment has to be a " big, special or grand moment "

in order

> to enjoy it. Often it's the simplest of things that can bring

about way more

> joy if you take the time to really look at life in a positive

manner rather

> then wasting time " wishing " you'd been blessed with the perfect

body to do the

> incredible experiences. When one excepts their limitations and

lives to enjoy

> their day.... nothing is wasted.

>

November 12, 2005

Luck is in your view of life. I didn't say that I don't need a hip replacement,

but NEED is

different to different people. I guess if I went back to an OS, he would

definetly say I DO

need a hip replacement. I just choose not to have one at this stage of my life.

I have

chronic ear infections. I had a total mastoidectomy in 1991 and that cleared a

lot of it up,

but I still am bothered with recurring infections. I am not going to take a

chance of

infection, having the implant removed, and ending up in a wheel chair. I can end

up that

way without going through the surgery.

I am able to take care of my 14 room house, and I garden extensively,. I'm not

saying I'm

not in pain, because I am. What I AM saying is that I work through the pain, go

to a

therapy pool 3 times a week, and faithfully take my medications. I am lucky to

still be here

at 66. Many of my friends are not. That's what I mean about not screwing it up.

Arianne

> >

> > I was thinking the same thing when I saw that post. I am having the time of

my life

now

> at

> > 66 years old. So much so, that I don't want to screw it up by having a hip

replacement. If

> I

> > ever do decide to have one, it won't be before I am 85. lol

> > Arianne

> >

>

November 12, 2005

Amen, Sassy

Arianne

>

> But as you age you naturally " slow down " . Your body wears normally. >>> Not

> all do in terms of " being feeble or living as an older non~doer " .... I know

> some " elderly individuals " that live a WAY more active life then some young

> patients EVER have and in their 60's & 70's their still going stronger then

ever.

> I think they tend to have a little more caustion in their doings because

> their bones are a lil more brittle, they don't want an injury because their

> healing time is usually a lil longer. My great-grandmother still does her own

> gardening, cooks & cleans for herself living independently plus volunteers

part

> time at the hospital on top of many other actvities she has during her

days....

> age has given her a different look in life but other then that... she's still

> doing everything pretty much the same as she always has. I'm sure she has

> more limitations then she once did but she certainly don't let them hold her

> down.

>

> By then you can better accept that the body is not as good as it once was.

> With a young mind and old body, you may do anything to feel your age. >>> I

> don't agree... if you've always been a " doer " and life brings upon you

> limitations which restrict what you can do and it becomes a life altering

change

> then.... AT ANY AGE it would effect you & bring about disappointments.

>

> Youth is wasted on the young. >>> Youth is wasted because you permit it to

> be not because you live with limitations. One does not have to run 10 miles a

> day, be able to carry heavy items, bend to touch their toes or even sit indian

> style while watching TV in order to enjoy their life. Youth wasted only

> becomes an issue to those who sit back & watch life pass them by instead of

> getting up with acceptance in what they're given and enjoying their days.

> Regardless of whether your a hip patient or not young still waste away their

days

> generally not due to limitations though... but instead because of stupidity in

the

> belief that every moment has to be a " big, special or grand moment " in order

> to enjoy it. Often it's the simplest of things that can bring about way more

> joy if you take the time to really look at life in a positive manner rather

> then wasting time " wishing " you'd been blessed with the perfect body to do the

> incredible experiences. When one excepts their limitations and lives to enjoy

> their day.... nothing is wasted.

>

November 13, 2005

I still think you are a very blessed person Arianne, I also believe the same

about myself. Yes I

am lucky to still be here, I was born with sticklers syndrome including a cleft

palate and

pierre robin, so technically was lucky to make the first year. I am partially

sighted because of

the sticklers and have had over 20 major operations on my eyes and face, and of

course now

I have hip replacements because I couldn't carry on, the debilitation was too

much. I am lucky

to have the life I have, and feel even luckier that I can now do everything that

I wish, I know

I'll never play ball games (can't see the ball) but horse riding has always been

my life and I

can now do this again. There was no way I could've worked through it because the

joints were

simply worn out.

I am glad you are able to keep active and get on with your life, and it is sad

that you have the

recurring infections and completely understand your reluctance to have

replacements with

such a condition.

Best Wishes

jane - in sunny Wales

November 13, 2005

>

> But don't blame the older people if they offer to share their

wisdom with

> you.

I don't think anyone is doing this - people are just saying that age

doesn't necessarily bring experience when we are talking about

needing new hips in your twenties. Unless one has gone through this,

it is difficult to comment from 'experience' as the having

osteoarthris when you are young is very different from having it when

you are older.

>

> Re: 26 year old Hip

Replacement ??

>

> >

> > I disagree with that statement with my whole heart and soul. Do

you

> > know what it feels like to be disabled when everyone else around

you

> > is normal? At least when you are older you have more company in

the

> > disabled area. I would much rather be confined to a wheelchair

in my

> > 60's than in my 40's. Besides you may be hit by a truck tomorrow.

> > So live your life now.

> >

> > I was 40 for the first THR, 41 for the second THR (revised at 47

last

> > year), 43 for the first total shoulder replacement and 44 for the

> > second TSR.

> >

> > Sue

> >

> > PS no offence meant to anyone by the above statements.

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

http://au.messenger.

>

November 13, 2005

The discussion about when to have (if ever) a THR/Resurf is interesting.

Knowing that OA of the hip is not actually life threatening and that there are

many people in worse situations dealing with their uncurable problems and

still leading contented lives - makes choosing surgery a very important

decision.

As a culture we do not want to wait or tolerate anything that can be " fixed " .

People around me continuously say when are you having that hip fixed? But it is

more for them because they are sensitive caring people and do not like to see

people in pain or incapacitated. Their opinions come from what they think they

would do it it were them instead of me. Even my OS is conservative, advising me

to wait at least 4-5 more years and has offered his opinion on resurfacing - if

he had OA of the hip he would not have a resurf done. I often think of my deaf

colleague who says he would never have a cochlear implant - one it may not work

and any residual hearing he has would be gone and (2) he would not be a member

of the deaf community any more. While because I am hearing I believe I would

have a cochlear implant (but maybe not - as I hesitate to investigate a resurf

or am not pushing for a THR.) One good thing about this discussion is that this

issue seems to be tolerated. Other sites seem to become impatient if you can't

make a decision. I'm not 26, I'm 50. But I would prefer to be able to walk my

current 15 steps and stop & rest and start again, then be in a wheelchair for

all of them. So maybe I will wait a while longer- I can sleep pretty good, some

days can go up stairs without as much trouble as most other days, can still put

on my shoes and socks and my wonderful husband will clip a toenail when

necessary. As everyone has said when you are ready you will know it and until

then there is alot to learn and the procedures and implants improve

continously- and it really is the little things in life that make it all

worthwhile. That little painted turtle that was moved out of the road today did

not care that the lady that moved him had OA.

Thanks for listening, enjoy the moments.

gdg

>

> I still think you are a very blessed person Arianne, I also believe the same

about myself. Yes I

> am lucky to still be here, I was born with sticklers syndrome including a

cleft palate and

> pierre robin, so technically was lucky to make the first year. I am partially

sighted because of

> the sticklers and have had over 20 major operations on my eyes and face, and

of course now

> I have hip replacements because I couldn't carry on, the debilitation was too

much. I am lucky

> to have the life I have, and feel even luckier that I can now do everything

that I wish, I know

> I'll never play ball games (can't see the ball) but horse riding has always

been my life and I

> can now do this again. There was no way I could've worked through it because

the joints were

> simply worn out.

>

> I am glad you are able to keep active and get on with your life, and it is sad

that you have the

> recurring infections and completely understand your reluctance to have

replacements with

> such a condition.

>

> Best Wishes

> jane - in sunny Wales

>

November 13, 2005

I AM a very, very, blessed person, and, God love you, so are you. With

everything you have

been through, I can understand your wanting to be able to do the thing you love

to do. I

always say that when I can no longer garden, just shoot me. lol

Arianne

>

> I still think you are a very blessed person Arianne, I also believe the same

about myself.

Yes I

> am lucky to still be here, I was born with sticklers syndrome including a

cleft palate and

> pierre robin, so technically was lucky to make the first year. I am partially

sighted

because of

> the sticklers and have had over 20 major operations on my eyes and face, and

of course

now

> I have hip replacements because I couldn't carry on, the debilitation was too

much. I am

lucky

> to have the life I have, and feel even luckier that I can now do everything

that I wish, I

know

> I'll never play ball games (can't see the ball) but horse riding has always

been my life and

I

> can now do this again. There was no way I could've worked through it because

the joints

were

> simply worn out.

>

> I am glad you are able to keep active and get on with your life, and it is sad

that you

have the

> recurring infections and completely understand your reluctance to have

replacements

with

> such a condition.

>

> Best Wishes

> jane - in sunny Wales

>

November 19, 2005

Gail

The danger that you play with is that you can reach a stage where

resurfacing is not possible because of bone damage, at which point

the choise has been made by default. Unfortunately, if your surgeon

does not do resurfacing, you will get a very one sided view from him.

Chris

De Smet RBHR June 23,2004

u LASR May 27,2005

Even my OS is conservative, advising me to wait at least 4-5 more

years and has offered his opinion on resurfacing - if he had OA of

the hip he would not have a resurf done. One good thing about this

discussion is that this issue seems to be tolerated. Other sites

seem to become impatient if you can't make a decision. I'm not 26,

I'm 50. But I would prefer to be able to walk my current 15 steps

and stop & rest and start again, then be in a wheelchair for all of

them.

November 19, 2005

Hi Gail,

You're fortunate in still being able to do some of the daily life

activities. Even though I'm only 32, I could no longer put my shoes

and socks on. I hadn't done that for years prior to my

replacement. I was to the point of not sleeping at night, with

walking, and even sitting, being a major pain (literally).

Medications like Celebrex and Mobic were no longer working, and pain

killers were also not working because I had taken them for so long.

For me, I felt that I was about to end up in a wheelchair without

the surgery, so having the surgery to save some of my quality of

life was well worth the risks for me.

Thanks for your comments on the topic. It's always interesting to

see how other people feel about this matter.

Aimee

> >

> > I still think you are a very blessed person Arianne, I also

believe the same about myself. Yes I

> > am lucky to still be here, I was born with sticklers syndrome

including a cleft palate and

> > pierre robin, so technically was lucky to make the first year. I

am partially sighted because of

> > the sticklers and have had over 20 major operations on my eyes

and face, and of course now

> > I have hip replacements because I couldn't carry on, the

debilitation was too much. I am lucky

> > to have the life I have, and feel even luckier that I can now do

everything that I wish, I know

> > I'll never play ball games (can't see the ball) but horse riding

has always been my life and I

> > can now do this again. There was no way I could've worked

through it because the joints were

> > simply worn out.

> >

> > I am glad you are able to keep active and get on with your life,

and it is sad that you have the

> > recurring infections and completely understand your reluctance

to have replacements with

> > such a condition.

> >

> > Best Wishes

> > jane - in sunny Wales

> >

>

November 19, 2005

chiming in very late on this topic...

picture this: you're in your twenties, and if you have a hip

replacement that lasts 10 years, you'll be up for a revision in your

thirties. Lather, rinse, repeat. To get to your seventies, you're

looking at five THRs. Disaster, right? But... if you wait twenty

years, twenty more years where your hip rules your life, you're

=still= looking at being a young patient for THR. You'll still only

be in your forties, and still facing multiple revisions. What have

you gained? Also, you've got to factor in the " might be run over by a

bus tomorrow " randomness.

You can, of course, choose to hold off and hold off and wait for some

mythical " best " time, banking your future good years in an account

you might never get to cash in. Me, I wanted to seize the carp. Am I

going to end up with no hip, stuck on crutches or in a chair in the

future? Maybe. But that's not where I've spent the past 12 years, and

for that I'm glad. Sure, each time gets harder. This last recovery's

been the slowest and toughest yet. I knew that would be the case. But

it's still better than before I had the initial THR.

There are no guarantees. Ever. What are you prepared to risk for what

potential results?

37, on my third replacement, and holding off on that " which were the

best years of my life " question until my very last breath.

November 20, 2005

Gail:

Your note reminded me of something - I think one of the factors that

helped me make my decision was when I couldn't sleep. Between not

sleeping and the pain of walking I was missing a significant amount of

work so it also became a financial issue. I think it's different for

everyone.

(49)

RC2K 48/54 Dr. Gross 3/24/04

- I can sleep pretty good, some days can go up stairs without as much

trouble as most other days, can still put on my shoes and socks and my

wonderful husband will clip a toenail when necessary. As everyone has

said when you are ready you will know it and until then there is alot

to learn and the procedures and implants improve continously- and it

really is the little things in life that make it all worthwhile. That

little painted turtle that was moved out of the road today did not

care that the lady that moved him had OA.

> Thanks for listening, enjoy the moments.

> gdg

November 20, 2005

Hi ,

Why Only ten years for a THR? The new TKRs are expected to last up

to 30 yrs. Why haven't they improved the THR too?

Geeze Girl! That can't be fun!

I have a TKR that is 15 yrs old and is one of the newer ones of its

time, but alas, it is all wore out, so they will be changing it to

the newer one, which is what I have in my left knee. But hopefully

not for at least a yr, as I have had two Joint replacements in 10

months, left knee and right shoulder, the latter I am still

recovering from. The Left Knee is a year old this Month and I am

very Happy with it.

I would, if I were you, ask your Ortho how long the next THR is

supposed to last, maybe he will Surprise you. Well.... We can Hope!

God Bless

Lois (New Member)

>

> chiming in very late on this topic...

>

> picture this: you're in your twenties, and if you have a hip

> replacement that lasts 10 years, you'll be up for a revision in

your

> thirties. Lather, rinse, repeat. To get to your seventies, you're

> looking at five THRs. Disaster, right? But... if you wait twenty

> years, twenty more years where your hip rules your life, you're

> =still= looking at being a young patient for THR. You'll still

only

> be in your forties, and still facing multiple revisions. What

have

> you gained?

November 21, 2005

Hi Lois

The original thr's of the 60's were metal on metal (totally cemented) but due to

less

precise engineering they didn't last very long, however some of these did and

lasted 30+.

At the time it was found that metal on plastic liners were most efficient. They

were

excellent for an older more sedentary population, however for younger more

active people

they simply don't last (figures indicate about 7 years). The plastic liners

cause debris that

attacks bone and again caused more complicated revision surgery, again the more

active a

patient the more debris produced.

Modern thr's do seem to indicate a better lifespan in younger people, these are

the

modern ceramic types and metal on metal large head size devices. The ceramics

initially

had the problem of shattering which meant complicated revision with surgeons

having to

remove hundreds of ceramic shards, modern techniques have got around this. With

the

metal on metal again modern engineering has been able to produce excellent

bearing

surfaces.

In the 60's there was attempts at resurfacing (using teflon by Charnley), these

were a

complete failure. Charnley of course was the father of thr traditional thr

metal-on-poly

still used today. In the 80's resurfacing was tried again with metal on plastic,

again they

failed completely. In the early 1990's in UK resurfacing came around again with

a metal on

metal device, this has proved to be excellent, figures in UK show for younger

people they

last longer than traditional thr's, the main advantage is that they conserve

bone, meaning

when a revision is neccessary it is like having a primary thr not an actual

revision. Evidence

has also shown when people have both they feey feel the resurfacing gives a more

natural

feel (that is, it is proprioceptive.) Here is an x-ray showing the difference

http://www.smj.org.uk/0205/metal%20fig1.htm

this clearly shows how a resurfacing is less invasive on the femoral side, the

acetabular

cup is the same in both hips. (The cups are actually exactly the same size.)

Figures for all modern thr's and and resurfacing are obviously thin on the

ground because

some of these devices are so relatively new, but it seems as if their longevity

will certainly

surpass the traditional metal-on-poly thr's.

So basically after all that waffle it seems as if modern thr's will have a much

longer

lifespan, but only time will tell.

jane - in beautifully sunny and cold Wales

November 21, 2005

My LTHR is 8 years old and it is the good old cemented titanium stem,

metal small ball, with a crosslinked poly liner. The cup is press

fit and screwed. I had it done at 40 and it is going strong. My

RTHR is the same, but needed a revision because it was loosened

thanks to a head on auto accident. I did not lose any more bone, but

do have a longer stem. At 6 years the poly liner had not worn at all

and was not replaced. My ortho also told me it would last 10 years

and I would run out of bone by my 60's. I changed doctors. This

ones says it may last 10 - 15 - 20 years. Who knows. Each of us is

different. Each OS is different and the parts are different. You

just do what you feel is best for you. Not what others think.

Sue

>

> Hi Lois

>

> The original thr's of the 60's were metal on metal (totally

cemented) but due to less

> precise engineering they didn't last very long, however some of

these did and lasted 30+.

> At the time it was found that metal on plastic liners were most

efficient. They were

> excellent for an older more sedentary population, however for

younger more active people

> they simply don't last (figures indicate about 7 years). The

plastic liners cause debris that

> attacks bone and again caused more complicated revision surgery,

again the more active a

> patient the more debris produced.

>

> Modern thr's do seem to indicate a better lifespan in younger

people, these are the

> modern ceramic types and metal on metal large head size devices.

The ceramics initially

> had the problem of shattering which meant complicated revision with

surgeons having to

> remove hundreds of ceramic shards, modern techniques have got

around this. With the

> metal on metal again modern engineering has been able to produce

excellent bearing

> surfaces.

>

> In the 60's there was attempts at resurfacing (using teflon by

Charnley), these were a

> complete failure. Charnley of course was the father of thr

traditional thr metal-on-poly

> still used today. In the 80's resurfacing was tried again with

metal on plastic, again they

> failed completely. In the early 1990's in UK resurfacing came

around again with a metal on

> metal device, this has proved to be excellent, figures in UK show

for younger people they

> last longer than traditional thr's, the main advantage is that they

conserve bone, meaning

> when a revision is neccessary it is like having a primary thr not

an actual revision. Evidence

> has also shown when people have both they feey feel the resurfacing

gives a more natural

> feel (that is, it is proprioceptive.) Here is an x-ray showing the

difference

>

> http://www.smj.org.uk/0205/metal%20fig1.htm

>

> this clearly shows how a resurfacing is less invasive on the

femoral side, the acetabular

> cup is the same in both hips. (The cups are actually exactly the

same size.)

>

> Figures for all modern thr's and and resurfacing are obviously

thin on the ground because

> some of these devices are so relatively new, but it seems as if

their longevity will certainly

> surpass the traditional metal-on-poly thr's.

>

> So basically after all that waffle it seems as if modern thr's will

have a much longer

> lifespan, but only time will tell.

>

> jane - in beautifully sunny and cold Wales

>

November 22, 2005

Hi Lois

> Why Only ten years for a THR? The new TKRs are expected to last up

> to 30 yrs. Why haven't they improved the THR too?

Jane has already answered in a lot of detail about the technology of

hips, but there's one more thing:

you can lose a THR without the metal or plastic wearing out. The

implants are still in tip-tip good-as-new condition, but the join

between metal and bone can go, or between the metal the epoxy and the

bone. Ten years seems to be a good " long " average for a young hippy.

(And, like all averages, there are exceptions in each direction.)

..

The " how long does a hip last " question is rarely measured in young

patients alone--the expectations usually include all the little old

ladies who fell and broke their otherwise-normal hip. No offence

meant to the older ladies on this list, I assure you, but there =are=

differences in lifestyles.

And I would be =delighted= to get ten years out of this new hip, I

really would.

Sign In

Re: 26 year old Hip Replacement ??

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