Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , Good luck, I will being praying for you. Keep us all up to date. Mike > > > Date: 2003/04/05 Sat AM 11:32:55 EST > To: <surfacehippy > > Subject: Return to JRI > > As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of > the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently > I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness > on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained > that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of > the operation. It wasn’t so much that there was a large cyst, but there were > many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a > sponge – in contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he > showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription > for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > > A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what > was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified > arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if > my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain > in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. > Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the > front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the > groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and > with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went > and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no > significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the > lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it > was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any > chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my > options. > > After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we > decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on > that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was > best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. > Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz’s choice for style of > uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April > 24. > > I don’t want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should > point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had > very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no > radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not > being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are > drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few > cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction > of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the > radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5’7”, 145 lb) where there is > less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit > with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5’1” and > avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it > seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly > it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and > having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have > learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time > of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > > Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I > felt it probably wasn’t worth the chance that it would have to be redone > again – I’m thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed > that was not his strongest recommendation. > > So there it is, sorry if I haven’t been giving a blow-by-blow of all this > while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get > better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > > My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this > weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in > Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect > that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last > time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > > - > Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , Good luck, I will being praying for you. Keep us all up to date. Mike > > > Date: 2003/04/05 Sat AM 11:32:55 EST > To: <surfacehippy > > Subject: Return to JRI > > As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of > the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently > I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness > on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained > that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of > the operation. It wasn’t so much that there was a large cyst, but there were > many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a > sponge – in contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he > showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription > for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > > A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what > was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified > arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if > my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain > in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. > Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the > front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the > groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and > with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went > and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no > significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the > lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it > was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any > chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my > options. > > After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we > decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on > that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was > best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. > Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz’s choice for style of > uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April > 24. > > I don’t want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should > point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had > very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no > radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not > being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are > drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few > cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction > of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the > radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5’7”, 145 lb) where there is > less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit > with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5’1” and > avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it > seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly > it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and > having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have > learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time > of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > > Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I > felt it probably wasn’t worth the chance that it would have to be redone > again – I’m thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed > that was not his strongest recommendation. > > So there it is, sorry if I haven’t been giving a blow-by-blow of all this > while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get > better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > > My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this > weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in > Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect > that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last > time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > > - > Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , Like you, I had C+ done on both hips by Dr. Mont in December and Februry, 2000-2001. Ten days after the second surgery it was discovered that a hairline fracture must have occurred during the surgery and Dr. Mont had to replace the C+ with a traditional prothesis and I can say I cannot tell any difference between the two. Dr. Mont feels they will each last for many years. I'm also a small person (4'11 " - 101 lbs. and that is probably a bonus in wear and tear on the implants). All the best to you. I'm sure you'll be satisfied and will do fine. Regards from land Margie Return to JRI >As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of >the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently >I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness >on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained >that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of >the operation. It wasn’t so much that there was a large cyst, but there were >many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a >sponge – in contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he >showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription >for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > >A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what >was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified >arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if >my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain >in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. >Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the >front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the >groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and >with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went >and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no >significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the >lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it >was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any >chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my >options. > >After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we >decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on >that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was >best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. >Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz’s choice for style of >uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April >24. > >I don’t want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should >point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had >very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no >radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not >being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are >drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few >cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction >of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the >radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5’7”, 145 lb) where there is >less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit >with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5’1” and >avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it >seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly >it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and >having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have >learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time >of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > >Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I >felt it probably wasn’t worth the chance that it would have to be redone >again – I’m thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed >that was not his strongest recommendation. > >So there it is, sorry if I haven’t been giving a blow-by-blow of all this >while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get >better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > >My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this >weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in >Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect >that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last >time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > >- >Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , Sorry to hear you will be facing more surgery and another recovery but all the best and keep us posted as to how you are going. Dasher > , > > Good luck, I will being praying for you. Keep us > all up to date. > > > Mike > > > > From: " Brewster " <kbrews@c...> > > Date: 2003/04/05 Sat AM 11:32:55 EST > > To: <surfacehippy > > > Subject: Return to JRI > > > > As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of > > the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently > > I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness > > on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained > > that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of > > the operation. It wasn't so much that there was a large cyst, but there were > > many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a > > sponge Ein contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he > > showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription > > for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > > > > A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what > > was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified > > arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if > > my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain > > in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. > > Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the > > front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the > > groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and > > with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went > > and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no > > significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the > > lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it > > was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any > > chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my > > options. > > > > After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we > > decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on > > that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was > > best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. > > Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz's choice for style of > > uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April > > 24. > > > > I don't want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should > > point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had > > very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no > > radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not > > being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are > > drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few > > cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction > > of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the > > radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5EE 145 lb) where there is > > less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit > > with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5EEand > > avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it > > seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly > > it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and > > having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have > > learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time > > of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > > > > Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I > > felt it probably wasn't worth the chance that it would have to be redone > > again EI'm thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed > > that was not his strongest recommendation. > > > > So there it is, sorry if I haven't been giving a blow-by-blow of all this > > while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get > > better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > > > > My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this > > weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in > > Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect > > that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last > > time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > > > > - > > Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , Sorry to hear you will be facing more surgery and another recovery but all the best and keep us posted as to how you are going. Dasher > , > > Good luck, I will being praying for you. Keep us > all up to date. > > > Mike > > > > From: " Brewster " <kbrews@c...> > > Date: 2003/04/05 Sat AM 11:32:55 EST > > To: <surfacehippy > > > Subject: Return to JRI > > > > As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of > > the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently > > I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness > > on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained > > that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of > > the operation. It wasn't so much that there was a large cyst, but there were > > many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a > > sponge Ein contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he > > showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription > > for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > > > > A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what > > was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified > > arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if > > my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain > > in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. > > Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the > > front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the > > groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and > > with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went > > and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no > > significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the > > lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it > > was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any > > chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my > > options. > > > > After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we > > decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on > > that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was > > best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. > > Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz's choice for style of > > uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April > > 24. > > > > I don't want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should > > point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had > > very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no > > radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not > > being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are > > drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few > > cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction > > of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the > > radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5EE 145 lb) where there is > > less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit > > with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5EEand > > avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it > > seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly > > it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and > > having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have > > learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time > > of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > > > > Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I > > felt it probably wasn't worth the chance that it would have to be redone > > again EI'm thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed > > that was not his strongest recommendation. > > > > So there it is, sorry if I haven't been giving a blow-by-blow of all this > > while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get > > better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > > > > My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this > > weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in > > Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect > > that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last > > time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > > > > - > > Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , It's all been articulated so well by other surface hippies, so I can only add my name to the list of those whose thoughts are with you and have good reason to be so appreciative of your efforts on our behalf over the years. You have always been, and remain even more so through these difficult times, an inspiration to us all, and I am truly humbled by your stoicism and the magnificent way you're handling this setback. Good luck , we're all with you every inch of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 , It's all been articulated so well by other surface hippies, so I can only add my name to the list of those whose thoughts are with you and have good reason to be so appreciative of your efforts on our behalf over the years. You have always been, and remain even more so through these difficult times, an inspiration to us all, and I am truly humbled by your stoicism and the magnificent way you're handling this setback. Good luck , we're all with you every inch of the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 Dear , I was so sorry to hear you will have to have more surgery. In my job as an elementary school teacher, I try to get kids to quit over-using the word " awesome. " It needs to be reserved for people like you who have given, and continue to give, so much to others. Your post is selfless and inspirational. At a very difficult time for you, here you are reassuring others. Thank you for helping me, and so many others, to reclaim their lives. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you April 24. All my best, Skater Gwen C2K 9/16/02 Dr. Gross Brewster wrote: >As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of >the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently >I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness >on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained >that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of >the operation. It wasn't so much that there was a large cyst, but there were >many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a >sponge - in contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he >showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription >for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > >A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what >was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified >arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if >my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain >in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. >Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the >front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the >groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and >with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went >and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no >significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the >lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it >was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any >chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my >options. > >After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we >decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on >that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was >best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. >Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz's choice for style of >uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April >24. > >I don't want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should >point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had >very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no >radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not >being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are >drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few >cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction >of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the >radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5'7 " , 145 lb) where there is >less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit >with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5'1 " and >avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it >seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly >it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and >having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have >learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time >of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > >Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I >felt it probably wasn't worth the chance that it would have to be redone >again - I'm thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed >that was not his strongest recommendation. > >So there it is, sorry if I haven't been giving a blow-by-blow of all this >while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get >better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > >My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this >weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in >Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect >that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last >time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > >- >Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2003 Report Share Posted April 7, 2003 Dear , I was so sorry to hear you will have to have more surgery. In my job as an elementary school teacher, I try to get kids to quit over-using the word " awesome. " It needs to be reserved for people like you who have given, and continue to give, so much to others. Your post is selfless and inspirational. At a very difficult time for you, here you are reassuring others. Thank you for helping me, and so many others, to reclaim their lives. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you April 24. All my best, Skater Gwen C2K 9/16/02 Dr. Gross Brewster wrote: >As I reported last fall I have had a radiolucency (a shadow near the edge of >the guide post) in my x-rays of my right hip for some time. Until recently >I had perfect function of the hip and no pain, except for a little soreness >on some days when I had been on my feet all day. Dr. Amstutz had explained >that it was due to the soft condition of the bone in that hip at the time of >the operation. It wasn't so much that there was a large cyst, but there were >many small crevices such that the top of the femoral head looked like a >sponge - in contrast to the left hip which had a smooth, hard finish (he >showed me pictures). After the visit last fall he gave me a prescription >for Fosamax, but was not certain if it would help the situation. > >A month or so ago I did start getting some pain. Oddly it started as what >was referred pain in my knee. Since I have some sort of unspecified >arthritis (symptoms are somewhat like ankylosing spondylitis) I wondered if >my knee was starting to go out. However, occasionally I felt a sharp pain >in the hip if I was leaning forward and putting a lot of weight on that leg. >Then one day I began getting weight-bearing pain in that leg. It was in the >front of the thigh and running down to the knee. It was different than the >groin pain I had before surgery but it seemed clear it was from the hip and >with time I had some lingering pain at night, clearly in the hip. So I went >and had some more x-rays taken and sent them to Dr. Amstutz. There was no >significant difference in the x-rays, but it was clear to him from the >lucency and my symptoms that the cap had begun to come loose. He told me it >was unlikely to loosen catastrophically, but to lessen the pain and any >chance of that happening I began to use walking aides, and we discussed my >options. > >After a week of that and another x-ray view to get some measurements we >decided it was best to go ahead and swap the cap for a large diameter THR on >that side. The acetabular cup was holding rock-solid so it was felt it was >best to use that and keep the advantages of the large diameter bearing. >Because of the shape of my femur and Dr. Amstutz's choice for style of >uncemented stem, a custom part was ordered, and will be installed on April >24. > >I don't want this to cause a lot of fear among my fellow resurfers; I should >point out some of the special situations that apply to my case. 1) I had >very soft bone on that side, the left side is still solid and no >radiolucencies, 2) at the time of my surgery the center guide pin was not >being cemented, 3) now in certain cases additional securing holes are >drilled for cement to increase hold, 4) Dr. Amstutz told me that the few >cases they have of radiolucencies (a few percent of hips), only a fraction >of those have come loose, 5) there does seem to be a tendency of the >radiolucencies to be in smaller patients (I am 5'7 " , 145 lb) where there is >less surface area on the underside of the cap. That said, at my last visit >with him I saw another of his patients who was quite petite (about 5'1 " and >avg weight) and she was very happy with her resurfacing after 5 years, so it >seems there is a combination of factors that contributed to this. Clearly >it does seem, however, that there might be costs in waiting too long and >having too much arthritic damage in the femoral head. Also, they have >learned more about the proper signs for eligible candidates since the time >of my surgery more than 3 years ago. > >Dr A said he could try to redo my cap using their current techniques, but I >felt it probably wasn't worth the chance that it would have to be redone >again - I'm thinking about setting foundations on sandy soil. I also sensed >that was not his strongest recommendation. > >So there it is, sorry if I haven't been giving a blow-by-blow of all this >while its been happening. I was holding out some hope that it would get >better on its own with the Fosamax and keeping off of it for a bit. > >My wife, Crystal, and I will be finalizing plans for the trip to LA this >weekend; my brother and sister-in-law have set us up with a condo in >Oceanside for a few days to gain strength before the flight home. I expect >that since there is about a quarter of the work that had to be done last >time, the immediate recovery should go smoothly, even better than before. > >- >Bilateral C+, 1/20/2000 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 Sue -- I read your reply to -- you are a really great group of people and I am happy to have someone here who I can talk to. I have to ask you -- if Dr. Desmet will answer an email -- if I send him my history etc. to see if I am a candidate? I wondered what his email is? Thanks -- I am in Fargo, ND -- Margo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 > > The best of luck, . I really appreciate all you have done > for surface > hippydome. Wisconsin will be rooting for you. > > in Oshkosh. > C+ 5/23/01, DMC Well, I hope that includes my parents and brother (who live in Milwaukee suburbs) Thanks to all for your very kind posts over the last couple of days. I am overwhelmed by the response. I guess its an understatement to say it is very good to know that so many are rooting for me. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 Hope this helps... Koen De Smet danz Maia728@... wrote: > Sue -- I read your reply to -- you are a really great group of > people > and I am happy to have someone here who I can talk to. I have to ask > you -- > if Dr. Desmet will answer an email -- if I send him my history etc. to > see if > I am a candidate? I wondered what his email is? > > Thanks -- I am in Fargo, ND -- Margo > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 Thanks -- He did answer -- I just missed it I guess. He wants me to send X-rays - I guess I will but I am concerned about insurance paying for this -- I am still looking at doing it in the US - maybe Dr. Gross - he seems to have a good reputation. I am a bit concerned now too - I talked to the nurse here at the OA - and she told me that I am wearing my bone down by waiting - I am in LOT of pain now - and the head of my femur is getting flat -- so that waiting may make my possibility of being a candidate for resurfacing a problem? I hope not. I am beginning to feel a sense of urgency now - Margo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 G'day , Excuse my australasian outlook on life when I point out that the term " rooting " has a whole different connotation down here. Therefore mental images of the whole state of Wisconsin " rooting " for you, is quite impressive!!!!! OOOOrrrooo Skip E.S I hope all is going well with you!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > The best of luck, . I really appreciate all you have done > > for surface > > hippydome. Wisconsin will be rooting for you. > > > > in Oshkosh. > > C+ 5/23/01, DMC > > Well, I hope that includes my parents and brother (who live in Milwaukee > suburbs) > > Thanks to all for your very kind posts over the last couple of days. I am > overwhelmed by the response. I guess its an understatement to say it is > very good to know that so many are rooting for me. > > - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2003 Report Share Posted April 15, 2003 dear keith, soooo sorry to hear about the need for more surgery. hopefully this will be the end of it. will be thinking of you on the 24th. steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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