Re: Resurfacing VS. replacement

[Guest guest]

Kate: The PVNS diagnosis is a very tricky one. I don't want to say

your doctor is wrong, but my husband was also diagnosed with that and

we spent months trying to find out more about it - in the hip it is

very rare. After a lot of time and effort his MRI and xrays were

re-read and he was re-examined and turns out he just (just, she says)

has osteoarthritis. He will be resurfaced next month.

You could have PVNS and I don't know if resurfacing would work, but I

can't see why not, but don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and

get other opinions.

Pamela

> i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in early

> stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw new

> doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

and

> my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack joint.

no

> guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my only

> option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter so i

> can have something done if i don't find any other options - getting

> kinda bad - have to do something.

> i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good BUT

> doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than replacement.

> i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

that.

> does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i found

> a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors (not

> guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many hippies.

> anybody have an idea????

> thanks.

[Guest guest]

Kate: The PVNS diagnosis is a very tricky one. I don't want to say

your doctor is wrong, but my husband was also diagnosed with that and

we spent months trying to find out more about it - in the hip it is

very rare. After a lot of time and effort his MRI and xrays were

re-read and he was re-examined and turns out he just (just, she says)

has osteoarthritis. He will be resurfaced next month.

You could have PVNS and I don't know if resurfacing would work, but I

can't see why not, but don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and

get other opinions.

Pamela

> i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in early

> stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw new

> doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

and

> my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack joint.

no

> guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my only

> option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter so i

> can have something done if i don't find any other options - getting

> kinda bad - have to do something.

> i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good BUT

> doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than replacement.

> i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

that.

> does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i found

> a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors (not

> guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many hippies.

> anybody have an idea????

> thanks.

[Guest guest]

this is where i'm confused. i am not absolutely diagnosed with

anything yet. they have to do a biopsy and i was planning on getting

that taken care of when i have another surgery.

i had a mri last year and i have monthly x-rays for comparison. is

there any doctor who specializes in pvns? hozack says i don't have

osteoarthritis. this is only from looking at me and my x-rays. is

there a test to do to specify osteoarthritis? how did your hubby's

doc get that final diagnosis?

it would be very helpful to find out exactly what is wrong so i don't

make a mistake in having another unnecessary surgery, but i can tell

something is wrong and something needs to be done in there...soon.

the bottom line from all the docs i've seen is replacement, that is

what they all say.

and i would like to see mont about resurfacing, but that is a matter

of insurance problems.

> > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

early

> > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

new

> > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

> and

> > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

joint.

> no

> > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

only

> > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

so i

> > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

getting

> > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

BUT

> > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

replacement.

> > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

> that.

> > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

found

> > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

(not

> > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

hippies.

> > anybody have an idea????

> > thanks.

[Guest guest]

this is where i'm confused. i am not absolutely diagnosed with

anything yet. they have to do a biopsy and i was planning on getting

that taken care of when i have another surgery.

i had a mri last year and i have monthly x-rays for comparison. is

there any doctor who specializes in pvns? hozack says i don't have

osteoarthritis. this is only from looking at me and my x-rays. is

there a test to do to specify osteoarthritis? how did your hubby's

doc get that final diagnosis?

it would be very helpful to find out exactly what is wrong so i don't

make a mistake in having another unnecessary surgery, but i can tell

something is wrong and something needs to be done in there...soon.

the bottom line from all the docs i've seen is replacement, that is

what they all say.

and i would like to see mont about resurfacing, but that is a matter

of insurance problems.

> > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

early

> > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

new

> > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

> and

> > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

joint.

> no

> > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

only

> > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

so i

> > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

getting

> > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

BUT

> > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

replacement.

> > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

> that.

> > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

found

> > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

(not

> > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

hippies.

> > anybody have an idea????

> > thanks.

[Guest guest]

You have really been through an emotional roller-coaster ride! I

would send my x-rays to Dr. De Smet in Belgium if I were you. If he

says he can resurface you...THEN HE CAN! If he says he can't...then

no one on this planet can either. It isn't that expensive to go to

Belgium. I took out a loan; got round trip tickets to Belgium for

$414., surgeon fee $2500, hospital fee $7000. I figure for the price

of a used car, I get a new hip and my life back!

Best of luck to you in your decision.

> i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in early

> stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw new

> doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

and

> my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack joint.

no

> guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

only

> option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter so

i

> can have something done if i don't find any other options - getting

> kinda bad - have to do something.

> i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good BUT

> doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

replacement.

> i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

that.

> does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

found

> a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors (not

> guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many hippies.

> anybody have an idea????

> thanks.

[Guest guest]

You have really been through an emotional roller-coaster ride! I

would send my x-rays to Dr. De Smet in Belgium if I were you. If he

says he can resurface you...THEN HE CAN! If he says he can't...then

no one on this planet can either. It isn't that expensive to go to

Belgium. I took out a loan; got round trip tickets to Belgium for

$414., surgeon fee $2500, hospital fee $7000. I figure for the price

of a used car, I get a new hip and my life back!

Best of luck to you in your decision.

> i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in early

> stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw new

> doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

and

> my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack joint.

no

> guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

only

> option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter so

i

> can have something done if i don't find any other options - getting

> kinda bad - have to do something.

> i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good BUT

> doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

replacement.

> i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

that.

> does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

found

> a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors (not

> guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many hippies.

> anybody have an idea????

> thanks.

[Guest guest]

I could not agree more. The less than $10K I spent for my new hip

with De Smet was the best money I ever spent in my life.

I would trust him to decide if a resurfacing was possible. And if it

was not, I would want him to do the THR.

Schiller

BHR 3/12/02

> > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

early

> > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

new

> > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

> and

> > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

joint.

> no

> > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> only

> > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

so

> i

> > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

getting

> > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

BUT

> > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> replacement.

> > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

> that.

> > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> found

> > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

(not

> > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

hippies.

> > anybody have an idea????

> > thanks.

[Guest guest]

I could not agree more. The less than $10K I spent for my new hip

with De Smet was the best money I ever spent in my life.

I would trust him to decide if a resurfacing was possible. And if it

was not, I would want him to do the THR.

Schiller

BHR 3/12/02

> > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

early

> > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

new

> > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

> and

> > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

joint.

> no

> > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> only

> > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

so

> i

> > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

getting

> > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

BUT

> > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> replacement.

> > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

> that.

> > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> found

> > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

(not

> > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

hippies.

> > anybody have an idea????

> > thanks.

[Guest guest]

I could not agree more. The less than $10K I spent for my new hip

with De Smet was the best money I ever spent in my life.

I would trust him to decide if a resurfacing was possible. And if it

was not, I would want him to do the THR.

Schiller

BHR 3/12/02

> > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

early

> > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

new

> > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing me

> and

> > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

joint.

> no

> > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> only

> > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

so

> i

> > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

getting

> > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about resurfacing.

> > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

BUT

> > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> replacement.

> > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other than

> that.

> > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> found

> > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

(not

> > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word of

> > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

hippies.

> > anybody have an idea????

> > thanks.

[Guest guest]

i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful. does

anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him out

and see if my insurance might cover him.

> > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> early

> > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

> new

> > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing

me

> > and

> > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> joint.

> > no

> > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> > only

> > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

> so

> > i

> > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> getting

> > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

resurfacing.

> > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

> BUT

> > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > replacement.

> > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

than

> > that.

> > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> > found

> > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

> (not

> > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word

of

> > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> hippies.

> > > anybody have an idea????

> > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful. does

anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him out

and see if my insurance might cover him.

> > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> early

> > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

> new

> > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing

me

> > and

> > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> joint.

> > no

> > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> > only

> > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

> so

> > i

> > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> getting

> > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

resurfacing.

> > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

> BUT

> > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > replacement.

> > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

than

> > that.

> > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> > found

> > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

> (not

> > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word

of

> > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> hippies.

> > > anybody have an idea????

> > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful. does

anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him out

and see if my insurance might cover him.

> > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> early

> > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement. saw

> new

> > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of seeing

me

> > and

> > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called Pigmented

> > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> joint.

> > no

> > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks my

> > only

> > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the winter

> so

> > i

> > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> getting

> > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

resurfacing.

> > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very good

> BUT

> > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > replacement.

> > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

than

> > that.

> > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case? i

> > found

> > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of tumors

> (not

> > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no word

of

> > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> hippies.

> > > anybody have an idea????

> > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate, Make that 4 votes for Dr De Smet. I was a very difficult

case with large cysts and previous hip surgery issues to deal with

and was resurfaced by him in May of this year. My biggest concerns

were the long flight home and a possible language barrier problem.

Neither were a problem at all. The trip home was easier for me than

the trip over there and we found that almost everyone in that part

of Belgium speaks English to some extent. I have never met a Dr

that I was more impressed with than Dr De Smet. I have met quite a

few in the 30 years that I have had to deal with these hips. He is

so genuinely compassionate for his patients as well as extremely

skilled in hip surgery. He and his team came to the hotel numerous

times. When we were over there and he had to go out of town for a

couple of days he told me to call his cell phone any time if there

was a problem and that he would come right back to Gent if

necessary. I could go on and on about how positive the Belgium

experience was but I've already done that quite a bit on this

board. Check out Dr De Smet's web site if you haven't already done

so. www . hip-clinic . com

Good Luck

LBHR De Smet 5/02

In surfacehippy@y..., " kate " <lippykate@y...> wrote:

> i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful.

does

> anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him

out

> and see if my insurance might cover him.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> > early

> > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

saw

> > new

> > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

seeing

> me

> > > and

> > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

Pigmented

> > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > joint.

> > > no

> > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks

my

> > > only

> > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

winter

> > so

> > > i

> > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > getting

> > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> resurfacing.

> > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

good

> > BUT

> > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > replacement.

> > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> than

> > > that.

> > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case?

i

> > > found

> > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

tumors

> > (not

> > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

word

> of

> > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > hippies.

> > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate, Make that 4 votes for Dr De Smet. I was a very difficult

case with large cysts and previous hip surgery issues to deal with

and was resurfaced by him in May of this year. My biggest concerns

were the long flight home and a possible language barrier problem.

Neither were a problem at all. The trip home was easier for me than

the trip over there and we found that almost everyone in that part

of Belgium speaks English to some extent. I have never met a Dr

that I was more impressed with than Dr De Smet. I have met quite a

few in the 30 years that I have had to deal with these hips. He is

so genuinely compassionate for his patients as well as extremely

skilled in hip surgery. He and his team came to the hotel numerous

times. When we were over there and he had to go out of town for a

couple of days he told me to call his cell phone any time if there

was a problem and that he would come right back to Gent if

necessary. I could go on and on about how positive the Belgium

experience was but I've already done that quite a bit on this

board. Check out Dr De Smet's web site if you haven't already done

so. www . hip-clinic . com

Good Luck

LBHR De Smet 5/02

In surfacehippy@y..., " kate " <lippykate@y...> wrote:

> i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful.

does

> anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him

out

> and see if my insurance might cover him.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> > early

> > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

saw

> > new

> > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

seeing

> me

> > > and

> > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

Pigmented

> > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > joint.

> > > no

> > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks

my

> > > only

> > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

winter

> > so

> > > i

> > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > getting

> > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> resurfacing.

> > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

good

> > BUT

> > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > replacement.

> > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> than

> > > that.

> > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case?

i

> > > found

> > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

tumors

> > (not

> > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

word

> of

> > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > hippies.

> > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate, Make that 4 votes for Dr De Smet. I was a very difficult

case with large cysts and previous hip surgery issues to deal with

and was resurfaced by him in May of this year. My biggest concerns

were the long flight home and a possible language barrier problem.

Neither were a problem at all. The trip home was easier for me than

the trip over there and we found that almost everyone in that part

of Belgium speaks English to some extent. I have never met a Dr

that I was more impressed with than Dr De Smet. I have met quite a

few in the 30 years that I have had to deal with these hips. He is

so genuinely compassionate for his patients as well as extremely

skilled in hip surgery. He and his team came to the hotel numerous

times. When we were over there and he had to go out of town for a

couple of days he told me to call his cell phone any time if there

was a problem and that he would come right back to Gent if

necessary. I could go on and on about how positive the Belgium

experience was but I've already done that quite a bit on this

board. Check out Dr De Smet's web site if you haven't already done

so. www . hip-clinic . com

Good Luck

LBHR De Smet 5/02

In surfacehippy@y..., " kate " <lippykate@y...> wrote:

> i've gotten 3 votes on dr.smet. he must be that wonderful.

does

> anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check him

out

> and see if my insurance might cover him.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly in

> > early

> > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

saw

> > new

> > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

seeing

> me

> > > and

> > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

Pigmented

> > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > joint.

> > > no

> > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he thinks

my

> > > only

> > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

winter

> > so

> > > i

> > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > getting

> > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> resurfacing.

> > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

good

> > BUT

> > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > replacement.

> > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> than

> > > that.

> > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my case?

i

> > > found

> > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

tumors

> > (not

> > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

word

> of

> > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > hippies.

> > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

>does anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check

>him out and see if my insurance might cover him.

Website:

http://www.hip-clinic.com/Home_UK/home_uk.html

Phone/Fax:

Telefoon: +32 (0)9 2525903

Fax: +32 (0)9 2526457

[Guest guest]

>does anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check

>him out and see if my insurance might cover him.

Website:

http://www.hip-clinic.com/Home_UK/home_uk.html

Phone/Fax:

Telefoon: +32 (0)9 2525903

Fax: +32 (0)9 2526457

[Guest guest]

>does anybody have a phone and address or website where i can check

>him out and see if my insurance might cover him.

Website:

http://www.hip-clinic.com/Home_UK/home_uk.html

Phone/Fax:

Telefoon: +32 (0)9 2525903

Fax: +32 (0)9 2526457

[Guest guest]

he sounds perfect. he really works on a lot of procedures that are

hard to come by here. i wish i lived in europe.

unfortunately i think my insurance will not cover it, and being 23,

i have no life savings to use up.

i'm trying again to get an approval to see dr.mont if i am okay to

have resurfacing.

i don't know how you all do it sometimes.

> > > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly

in

> > > early

> > > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

> saw

> > > new

> > > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

> seeing

> > me

> > > > and

> > > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

> Pigmented

> > > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > > joint.

> > > > no

> > > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he

thinks

> my

> > > > only

> > > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

> winter

> > > so

> > > > i

> > > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > > getting

> > > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> > resurfacing.

> > > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

> good

> > > BUT

> > > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > > replacement.

> > > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> > than

> > > > that.

> > > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my

case?

> i

> > > > found

> > > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

> tumors

> > > (not

> > > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

> word

> > of

> > > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > > hippies.

> > > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

he sounds perfect. he really works on a lot of procedures that are

hard to come by here. i wish i lived in europe.

unfortunately i think my insurance will not cover it, and being 23,

i have no life savings to use up.

i'm trying again to get an approval to see dr.mont if i am okay to

have resurfacing.

i don't know how you all do it sometimes.

> > > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly

in

> > > early

> > > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

> saw

> > > new

> > > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

> seeing

> > me

> > > > and

> > > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

> Pigmented

> > > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > > joint.

> > > > no

> > > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he

thinks

> my

> > > > only

> > > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

> winter

> > > so

> > > > i

> > > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > > getting

> > > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> > resurfacing.

> > > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

> good

> > > BUT

> > > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > > replacement.

> > > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> > than

> > > > that.

> > > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my

case?

> i

> > > > found

> > > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

> tumors

> > > (not

> > > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

> word

> > of

> > > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > > hippies.

> > > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

he sounds perfect. he really works on a lot of procedures that are

hard to come by here. i wish i lived in europe.

unfortunately i think my insurance will not cover it, and being 23,

i have no life savings to use up.

i'm trying again to get an approval to see dr.mont if i am okay to

have resurfacing.

i don't know how you all do it sometimes.

> > > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was supposedly

in

> > > early

> > > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no improvement.

> saw

> > > new

> > > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

> seeing

> > me

> > > > and

> > > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

> Pigmented

> > > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors attack

> > > joint.

> > > > no

> > > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he

thinks

> my

> > > > only

> > > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

> winter

> > > so

> > > > i

> > > > > can have something done if i don't find any other options -

> > > getting

> > > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> > resurfacing.

> > > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is very

> good

> > > BUT

> > > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > > replacement.

> > > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something other

> > than

> > > > that.

> > > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my

case?

> i

> > > > found

> > > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

> tumors

> > > (not

> > > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

> word

> > of

> > > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too many

> > > hippies.

> > > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > > thanks.

[Guest guest]

i have a contact in the insurance group and she seems to sympathize

with me. i just called her up and told her that every doctor in the

system has recommended replacement and that i really would like to at

least see someone about resurfacing. she said i should write to

appeals and go from there. i think i will contact dr.mont and see if

i can have him make a comment and just bug the hell outta them till

they say okay. i could possibly pay for my own expenses in belgium

if dr.smet is the one for me, as long as they cover the medical

expenses. if that is not an option, and i'm not so sure, they will

have to at least go for mont.

i just took out loans before this so i could go to school and i live

on my own and work full time, so another huge loan isn't sounding too

reasonable to my wallet.....

i still just wanna say that all you folks RULE.

> > > > > > i have a question that really only merits opinion.

> > > > > > i was misdaignosed w/AVN. last november i was

supposedly

> in

> > > > early

> > > > > > stages, had core decompression, year later no

improvement.

> > saw

> > > > new

> > > > > > doctor, hozack @ rothman in phily. within 2 minutes of

> > seeing

> > > me

> > > > > and

> > > > > > my x-rays says i never had AVN, have what is called

> > Pigmented

> > > > > > Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (non-cancerous tumors

attack

> > > > joint.

> > > > > no

> > > > > > guarantee on re-occurance with just tumor removel) he

> thinks

> > my

> > > > > only

> > > > > > option is replacement, and i scheduled a surgery for the

> > winter

> > > > so

> > > > > i

> > > > > > can have something done if i don't find any other

options -

> > > > getting

> > > > > > kinda bad - have to do something.

> > > > > > i was originally trying to see dr mont to see about

> > > resurfacing.

> > > > > > insurance denied and aimed me towards hozack. he is

very

> > good

> > > > BUT

> > > > > > doesn't work with resurfacing or any other options than

> > > > > replacement.

> > > > > > i'm only 23 so i was originally looking for something

other

> > > than

> > > > > that.

> > > > > > does anybody think resurfacing could be applied in my

> case?

> > i

> > > > > found

> > > > > > a site for PVNS and other than radiation and removal of

> > tumors

> > > > (not

> > > > > > guaranteed) i only saw people who had replacement and no

> > word

> > > of

> > > > > > resurfacing. BUT most victims were knees and not too

many

> > > > hippies.

> > > > > > anybody have an idea????

> > > > > > thanks.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate, welcome to the group. A word of caution, I would say the

general concensus here is that you personally have NO contact with

your insurance company. The Doc's insurance folks know the magic

words. My advice, given your circumstances, would be go to

activejoints.com and find the link to the lists of Docs for the two

devices offered in the U.S. and then call them and see if one is in

your network. All of the surgeons in the trials seem to be top notch.

I was most certainly pleased with my experince with Dr. Gross. His

insurance coordinator had no problems getting me covered.

Warmest regards and Best of Luck!

-

Rc2k, 8/21/02, Dr. Gross

> i have a contact in the insurance group and she seems to sympathize

> with me. i just called her up and told her that every doctor in

the

> system has recommended replacement and that i really would like to

at

> least see someone about resurfacing. she said i should write to

> appeals and go from there. i think i will contact dr.mont and see

if

> i can have him make a comment and just bug the hell outta them till

> they say okay. i could possibly pay for my own expenses in belgium

> if dr.smet is the one for me, as long as they cover the medical

> expenses. if that is not an option, and i'm not so sure, they will

> have to at least go for mont.

> i just took out loans before this so i could go to school and i

live

> on my own and work full time, so another huge loan isn't sounding

too

> reasonable to my wallet.....

> i still just wanna say that all you folks RULE.

>

>

> >

[Guest guest]

i agree that i should have the doctors office cover the insurance

approval stuff, but this woman went out of her way and called me when

it was denied and gave me names of doctors i should see. she asked

me to keep in contact with her and see how it went.

i think it would be most beneficial for mont's office to be involved

in persueding them to cover it since they know that area and i really

know nothing. the woman looked into it and they have actually never

had anybody request resurfacing in the company. they had denied mont

only because of being outside the system and not because of this

procedure. strange, huh?

where is dr. gross located again?

> > i have a contact in the insurance group and she seems to

sympathize

> > with me. i just called her up and told her that every doctor in

> the

> > system has recommended replacement and that i really would like

to

> at

> > least see someone about resurfacing. she said i should write to

> > appeals and go from there. i think i will contact dr.mont and

see

> if

> > i can have him make a comment and just bug the hell outta them

till

> > they say okay. i could possibly pay for my own expenses in

belgium

> > if dr.smet is the one for me, as long as they cover the medical

> > expenses. if that is not an option, and i'm not so sure, they

will

> > have to at least go for mont.

> > i just took out loans before this so i could go to school and i

> live

> > on my own and work full time, so another huge loan isn't sounding

> too

> > reasonable to my wallet.....

> > i still just wanna say that all you folks RULE.

> >

> >

> > >