Guest guest Posted December 14, 2003 Report Share Posted December 14, 2003 ph, Thank you for generously sharing your experience. I am sure that will be reassuring to others coming onto this list. Virginia (BHR components on THR stem, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, 27/08/03) > > > An old song says that love is better the second time around. I don't know if that is true--I'm still looking for the first time--but at least I know that hip surgery is better the second time around--at least it was for me. > > I returned home on Friday night (12/12) from revision surgery on Tuesday (12/9). As I posted here before, my surgery took place one year and one week from my initial resurfacing surgery. The surgeon had suspected that I suffered a loosening of the femoral component due to a fracture of the femoral neck; however, that proved an incorrect diagnosis. What happened was that I had developed avascular necrosis (AVN) under the femoral cap, and the softening of the bone led to a loosening of the femoral cap. The surgeon said it was like mush, and he just slid the femoral cap off without any resistance. > > As we all know, the end of the femur is very sensitive, and even the slightest trauma can disturb the blood flow into the end of the femur. Unfortunately, grinding of the femur is a necessary part of hip resurfacing and it can sometimes trigger the onset of AVN in individuals who previously have shown no signs of it. Some people are more susceptible than others, and I proved to be one of the unfortunate few. Perhaps someday in the future they will develop a test to determine the high risk individuals, and I guess it's the pioneers like you and me that will provide them with the data to develop such a test. Because of my experience, my surgeon suggested that I consider a large head THR if I should ever have to have an implant in my other hip. I'll probably follow his advice. > > I must admit that the surgery was less traumatic than I expected and remembered. Perhaps it was because they didn't have to modify the acetabulum cup. The surgeon said that he grabbed and pulled it in all directions, but it seemed securely anchored. He then proceeded to revise the femoral component with a Conserve Total Hip System with BFH Technology. He used a collarless and cementless stem, so I'll be 25% weight bearing for 8 weeks. Although my recovery plan will be no different than the one I followed after resurfacing surgery, I am in considerably less pain now than I was after last year's surgery. Don't get me wrong, I'm still taking pain narcotics like candy, but I'm only doing so because I want to keep the pain in check, and I remember how easily I stopped the pain meds last year after a few days. > > Sleeping in bed at night is still a chore as it was last year, but at least I can get in and out of bed this year without excruciating pain. I also now have the benefit of knowing what to expect and when to expect it. Last year I had people stay with me for the first five days because I live alone. This year I threw them out after two nights because they started getting in the way. > > The surgeon told me up front that it would be easier this time, and he was right. So if you find yourself in a position where you need to be revised to a THR, don't look on it as the end of the world. It's okay to be disappointed, but don't be overly anxious about the surgery. The day and night of surgery isn't that much different, but the days following it are remarkably better. The only bad thing is the incision. It looks even nastier once it's been cut open a second time. Mine looks like they took and ice cream scoop and scooped out a 10 inch groove in my hip and buttock. I'm not sure that will ever heal up to be a pretty sight. I'm not sure it was ever a pretty sight in the first place! > > ph K. Waltenbaugh > Conserve Plus 12/3/02 Dr. Goldberg > Conserve Total 12/9/03 Dr. Goldberg > > > > _______________________________________________ > No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. > Introducing My Way - http://www.myway.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2003 Report Share Posted December 15, 2003 ph Thanks for updating us on your revision. The prospect of my hip failing is always lurking at the back of my mind and I find it very encouraging to be reminded that revision 'is not the end of the world'. Best of luck with your recovery - keep us posted. Kathy > > > An old song says that love is better the second time around. I don't know if that is true--I'm still looking for the first time--but at least I know that hip surgery is better the second time around--at least it was for me. > > I returned home on Friday night (12/12) from revision surgery on Tuesday (12/9). As I posted here before, my surgery took place one year and one week from my initial resurfacing surgery. The surgeon had suspected that I suffered a loosening of the femoral component due to a fracture of the femoral neck; however, that proved an incorrect diagnosis. What happened was that I had developed avascular necrosis (AVN) under the femoral cap, and the softening of the bone led to a loosening of the femoral cap. The surgeon said it was like mush, and he just slid the femoral cap off without any resistance. > > As we all know, the end of the femur is very sensitive, and even the slightest trauma can disturb the blood flow into the end of the femur. Unfortunately, grinding of the femur is a necessary part of hip resurfacing and it can sometimes trigger the onset of AVN in individuals who previously have shown no signs of it. Some people are more susceptible than others, and I proved to be one of the unfortunate few. Perhaps someday in the future they will develop a test to determine the high risk individuals, and I guess it's the pioneers like you and me that will provide them with the data to develop such a test. Because of my experience, my surgeon suggested that I consider a large head THR if I should ever have to have an implant in my other hip. I'll probably follow his advice. > > I must admit that the surgery was less traumatic than I expected and remembered. Perhaps it was because they didn't have to modify the acetabulum cup. The surgeon said that he grabbed and pulled it in all directions, but it seemed securely anchored. He then proceeded to revise the femoral component with a Conserve Total Hip System with BFH Technology. He used a collarless and cementless stem, so I'll be 25% weight bearing for 8 weeks. Although my recovery plan will be no different than the one I followed after resurfacing surgery, I am in considerably less pain now than I was after last year's surgery. Don't get me wrong, I'm still taking pain narcotics like candy, but I'm only doing so because I want to keep the pain in check, and I remember how easily I stopped the pain meds last year after a few days. > > Sleeping in bed at night is still a chore as it was last year, but at least I can get in and out of bed this year without excruciating pain. I also now have the benefit of knowing what to expect and when to expect it. Last year I had people stay with me for the first five days because I live alone. This year I threw them out after two nights because they started getting in the way. > > The surgeon told me up front that it would be easier this time, and he was right. So if you find yourself in a position where you need to be revised to a THR, don't look on it as the end of the world. It's okay to be disappointed, but don't be overly anxious about the surgery. The day and night of surgery isn't that much different, but the days following it are remarkably better. The only bad thing is the incision. It looks even nastier once it's been cut open a second time. Mine looks like they took and ice cream scoop and scooped out a 10 inch groove in my hip and buttock. I'm not sure that will ever heal up to be a pretty sight. I'm not sure it was ever a pretty sight in the first place! > > ph K. Waltenbaugh > Conserve Plus 12/3/02 Dr. Goldberg > Conserve Total 12/9/03 Dr. Goldberg > > > > _______________________________________________ > No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. > Introducing My Way - http://www.myway.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2004 Report Share Posted January 1, 2004 ph I am so happy to hear of your good progress. (I realize its been some weeks since your post...but I wanted to say how happy I am to hear of your good news) All the best in 2004! Thanks Alyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.