Re: Re: Not all US Orthopedic Surgeons are idiots! - initial research results

January 9, 2004

I understand that general frustration with the slow pace of acceptance for

resurfacing in the US. But I think it's unfair to blame the average OS in

the US for this. Two things will change the hip replacement landscape.

1. FDA approval

2. Marketing efforts by orthopeadic companies once FDA approval occurs.

No reputable journal, organization, or individual OS is going to promote or

encourage a procedure until it becomes " standard of care " . Even OSs who do

resurfacing are careful to avoid pushing patients in that direction. It is

presented as one option and carefully characterized as " investigational " .

Resurfacing is a tremendous boon to hip patients who are young and active.

Once resurfacing is FDA approved, it will join the other arrows in most OS's

quivers and become commonplace. Until then it will remain a relatively

obscure and questionable procedure in the US.

To charactorize US surgeons as reactionary is unfair. And it's also not

productive to try and rate one country's surgeons above another's. This

forum is for discussion and support, not competition or promotion.

Mike Trautman

C2K, Kennedy, Sep 03

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