Interesting thread especially comments on subject of THR vs. Resurfacing

[Guest guest]

So, to make this clear, this is not for those that have had THR's already to

read, but for those that are still researching their options.

This is a WebMD thread that started quite the contraversey, and it appears the

original doc that was leading that message board is now no longer with that or

affiliated with them. I think the uproar caused some well needed changes.

http://blogs.webmd.com/arthritis-and-joint-replacement/2008/12/total-hips-versus\

-surface-replacement.html?ext-ref=comm-sub-email

If you have the time read through all the comments, very informative, especially

the last comment made by the infamous guy who literally ran a marathon just

short of 3 months post op with his resurfaced hip.

So, what exactly does NO limitations mean with a THR? Anterior approach or not,

the bone is still removed and there is still a metal stem that invades the bone

marrow and causes stress shielding,

http://www.surfacehippyinfo.com/THR-vs.-Resurfacing/20081130169/THR-vs.-Resurfac\

ing/Resurfacing-vs.-THR-By-Mark-Bloomfield/menu-id-89.html

improper loading of the bone which will cause it to eventually loosen with

excess impact or force. Not so with a resurfaced hip. There are no long term

studies done that prove heavy impact activities will not affect the stem

loosening.

The failures that happen with resurfacing, well point blank there has not ever

been a proven case that it was due to heavy impact unless someone did something

within the first few weeks of surgery that was ridiculous. Most failures for

resurfacings are due to surgeon error, notching the femoral neck or misplaced

devices. You will not see after one year a resurfaced device fail due to heavy

impact, unless the surgeon misplaced the device to begin with. There are 6th

degree and 9th degree black belts that had their hips resurfaced years ago and

they are still going strong. I have met some of them in person.

http://www.surfacehippyinfo.com/Martial-Arts/Martial-Arts/menu-id-35.html

Yoga is one thing, but Ironman, Ultraman triathlons, martial arts, Ice hockey.

I have yet to find a site that has as many real life videos of patients post op

that have " no restrictions " with THR's continuing to do the things that patients

with hip resurfacing continue to do MANY years after their surgeries. Just

look.

http://www.youtube.com/user/surfacehippyinfo

Here's Cory's comment just posted two days ago, or should I say Dr. Williman

'Cory " Foulk to the WebMd blog, very well written:

Dr. K -

Certainly there is a case for the total hip, just as there is one for a

Resurfaced Hip. The patient populations are significantly different, the

procedures significantly different. More importantly I believe the patient

expectations to be very different.

Were I to have followed the standard and highly developed course of treatment in

my condition (AVN / degenerative joint disease onset at 38 years of age) as

recommended by many of the United States top orthopedic surgeons (my airfares

far exceeded the surgeon consultation fees), I would have been on pain

management medication with a very limited activity profile still, twelve years

later. Thank goodness I would have been nearing the age by now (12 years later)

when a radical surgeon would have just " throw out the rules " and given me a THR.

Instead, after a lot of research and years of study, I had my hip resurfaced

three years ago. Instead of suffering for another three years, I have instead

completed 8 Ironman Distance Triathlons, 5 Ultraman Distance Triathlons, 3

Ultramarathon runs, 3 marathon runs, and an Ultracycling race. My resurfaced hip

functions well, I can leg press 625 pounds for reps, do full squats and run a

sub-16 minute 5k. I have participated in chromium ion studies with blood draws

and so on before during and after events, and have worked with a number of

resurfacing and total hip patients. I am happy to have my life back. I have

survived a major post-op cycle crash and had no injury to the resurfaced hip, no

femoral neck fracture. I am the fellow who ran a marathon at 89 days post-op,

and I have a fellow resurfacing patient who ran one at 4 months. neither of us

suffered any more than one would normally suffer in a marathon, and neither of

us has a long term debilitating failure.

I too have spoken before the AAOS and many surgical groups large and small. I

believe the mistake here is that perhaps of an application to the wrong patient

group - you comparing apples to oranges in other words. Certainly an orange will

make better orange juice hands down, just as an apple will make better apple

juice. I am very pleased to find myself in a more informed and demanding patient

group (as the response to your ditty seems to indicate) than your profession has

ever experienced, and I can see how daunting it must be for surgeons today to

have to back their positions with real data as opposed to manufacturer hand-outs

(which seems to be where most of your information came from) and bluster.

For me, I would suggest to anyone who suffers that there is a procedure that is

right for you, whether it is a total hip or a total resurfacing. Find the best

one for your case, and find the surgeon who best hears your expectations.

Bon viv!

Dr. C. " Cory " Foulk

By the way, if anyone does not believe Cory is real, I can get you in touch with

him, he is VERY real, just do a google search and you will find him.

Vicky

LBHR Dr. Bose Dec 01 05