RE: I would resurf again - and future BHR revisions

September 12, 2001

To Martha

Thank for sharing our honest opinion. Actually you are living 15 to 25 years

ahead of us surfies, having your primary THR revision after a BHR... As I

understand, you now have a 36mm M/M THR.

Last week I returned from my second BHR surf job, done at the University

Hospital in Ghent.

There, I had some interesting and lengthy discussions with my doc. about BHR

revisions. My question was " can we expect in future to have a BHR device

revised with a secondair BHR device? " . He told me that he did already a few

revisions of the early and abandoned McMINN devices, which were suffering of

loosening of the femoral head. He did a partial revision of the head

(hemiarthroplasty), with a primary THR stem with modular neck. Used a large

metal head on top of the neck that fit in the existing BHR socket, which was

still OK. Those patients are still doing remarkeble well. The doc thinks the

success is many due to the fact that larger head size (50mm) give more

stability then the 22mm head size of a traditional THR.

I guess this technique could be applicable in your case, having femoral neck

fracture...

Also on the acetabular BHR component new developments will be expected in

terms of modular sockets, with replaceable articulation.

I would resurf again

to the group

On this terrible day( I am posting after the NYC and DC tragedies), I have

to say that our concerns seem miniscule in the overall scheme of things.

Nevertheless, I wanted to let the group know that in spite of my M/M resurf

failure, if I had it to do all over again, I would definitely opt for

resurfacing, and I advise anyone eligible for this procedure to consider

resurfacing as their first option. I was a fluke, and would in no way want

to imply anything different, nor let my experience discourage anyone from

using this procedure. It is the only thing that makes real sense. I only

posted my experience to let others know that sh** happens, and that one

should be careful, do everything possible to encourage the success of the

surgery....and be a good patient in the follow up. Thanks Martha

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