Re: Testimonial 2 (or 3??) years postop

[Guest guest]

Hi Dru

Great posting - thank you. Long may it continue.

Aren't you three years post op??

ine

C2K 04/03

> I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface

hippy

> members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

> triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to

address

> a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

> longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far.

Since

> four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

> logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles

of

> running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

> Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

> to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

> inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no

worries

> about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

> so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced

hip

> at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of

my

> lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

> hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best

as

> I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

> resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of

care

> about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will

have

> jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

> younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

> the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

> Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

> leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

> your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I

was

> on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and

walking

> a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

> weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

> American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

> conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to

go

> and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

> even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

> folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

> decision: Dru