Re: disparity in recovery times

February 15, 2004

Hi

My guess is that One of the reasons for the seemingly quick recovery times are:

1. Surgeon skill and experience. Dr De Smet has done many resurfs now. He

always works with the same surgical staff and he has it down to a science.

Thus the surgery does not take hours. Also- he believes in using your new joint

right away. His refrain is " listen to your body. " Because he is not part of

the trial he follows his own guidelines. He is also not afraid of litigation.

2. Marc gets you up and around quickly.

3. Clientele. It seems that Dr De Smet has perhaps a larger portion of

athletes. Granted he also has a larger portion of difficult patients. He also

knows his limitations. I honestly believe that he cares about his patients and

not the almighty $.

I know I sound prejudiced. Sorry. I am.

Jude

disparity in recovery times

Hi Gang,

Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr. De

Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences. (This

sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still interested

in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing Dr.

amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to ask,

but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

Chris

February 15, 2004

Jude says it all much better than I could! I would only add that the

BHR uses a cemented femoral component, the " ball " part, which allows

for full weight bearing right out of the chute and that Koen exposes

the joint posterolaterally creating a large work window with virtually

no damage to the supporting muscles which makes for both speedier

surgery and recovery! Ask Dr Amstutz what kind of resuf he'd use and

why, how long your surgery will take and how long it will be before

you'll walk normally again. My 6 week anniversary is coming up on

Tuesday and some residual scar sensitivity and a due-next-week Visa

statement is my most conscious reminder of it. Not bad, all things

considered.

Good luck, and let us know what you've decided.

Take good care!

Dr Steve

> Hi

>

> My guess is that One of the reasons for the seemingly quick recovery

times are:

>

> 1. Surgeon skill and experience. Dr De Smet has done many resurfs

now. He always works with the same surgical staff and he has it down

to a science. Thus the surgery does not take hours. Also- he

believes in using your new joint right away. His refrain is " listen

to your body. " Because he is not part of the trial he follows his own

guidelines. He is also not afraid of litigation.

>

> 2. Marc gets you up and around quickly.

>

> 3. Clientele. It seems that Dr De Smet has perhaps a larger portion

of athletes. Granted he also has a larger portion of difficult

patients. He also knows his limitations. I honestly believe that he

cares about his patients and not the almighty $.

>

> I know I sound prejudiced. Sorry. I am.

>

> Jude

> disparity in recovery times

>

> Hi Gang,

> Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr. De

> Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences. (This

> sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still interested

> in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing Dr.

> amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to ask,

> but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> Chris

>

February 16, 2004

Hi All

Steve says it all. I know we've been through whether cemented or uncemented

several times. However the advantage that Steve says is true. You can

exercise on a cemented joint a lot quicker than an uncemented. Currently

all 3 main prostheses are partially cemented however. Due to the state of

my femural ball (it was totally misshapen with bone on bone wear) on the

left side, Ronan Treacy, my OS kept me in bed for 2 days instead of 1 etc.

This was to give more support to letting the soft tissue (muscle) help in

recuperation.

Similarly it is most likely that the US surgeons want the best results for

the FDA and therefore don't want to run risks.

Rog BHR March & May 2001 Treacy

disparity in recovery times

> >

> > Hi Gang,

> > Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr. De

> > Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> > times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences. (This

> > sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still interested

> > in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing Dr.

> > amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> > mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> > And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to ask,

> > but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> > Chris

> >

February 16, 2004

Dr Steve--Which US surgeons don't use a cemented femoral component? I

would expect better research from a DR.

Also, would it be fair to suggest that in a country like the US where

surgeons are sued at the drop of a hat, there might be a little

caution on post op activities?

His record isn't all success stories, the failures won't be posting

here, they may be the ones you don't hear from any longer.

Capt Amaze_O (C+, 12-17-01, Mont, Ant Lat)

> > Hi

> >

> > My guess is that One of the reasons for the seemingly quick

recovery

> times are:

> >

> > 1. Surgeon skill and experience. Dr De Smet has done many resurfs

> now. He always works with the same surgical staff and he has it

down

> to a science. Thus the surgery does not take hours. Also- he

> believes in using your new joint right away. His refrain is " listen

> to your body. " Because he is not part of the trial he follows his

own

> guidelines. He is also not afraid of litigation.

> >

> > 2. Marc gets you up and around quickly.

> >

> > 3. Clientele. It seems that Dr De Smet has perhaps a larger

portion

> of athletes. Granted he also has a larger portion of difficult

> patients. He also knows his limitations. I honestly believe that

he

> cares about his patients and not the almighty $.

> >

> > I know I sound prejudiced. Sorry. I am.

> >

> > Jude

> > disparity in recovery times

> >

> > Hi Gang,

> > Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr.

De

> > Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> > times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences.

(This

> > sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still

interested

> > in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing

Dr.

> > amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up

my

> > mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> > And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to

ask,

> > but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> > Chris

> >

February 16, 2004

You've about covered all the negatives. I went to Belgium to enjoy the

best mix of positives I could find. So far I've not been disappointed.

SV

> > > Hi

> > >

> > > My guess is that One of the reasons for the seemingly quick

> recovery

> > times are:

> > >

> > > 1. Surgeon skill and experience. Dr De Smet has done many resurfs

> > now. He always works with the same surgical staff and he has it

> down

> > to a science. Thus the surgery does not take hours. Also- he

> > believes in using your new joint right away. His refrain is " listen

> > to your body. " Because he is not part of the trial he follows his

> own

> > guidelines. He is also not afraid of litigation.

> > >

> > > 2. Marc gets you up and around quickly.

> > >

> > > 3. Clientele. It seems that Dr De Smet has perhaps a larger

> portion

> > of athletes. Granted he also has a larger portion of difficult

> > patients. He also knows his limitations. I honestly believe that

> he

> > cares about his patients and not the almighty $.

> > >

> > > I know I sound prejudiced. Sorry. I am.

> > >

> > > Jude

> > > disparity in recovery times

> > >

> > > Hi Gang,

> > > Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr.

> De

> > > Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> > > times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences.

> (This

> > > sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still

> interested

> > > in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing

> Dr.

> > > amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up

> my

> > > mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> > > And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to

> ask,

> > > but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> > > Chris

> > >

February 16, 2004

- i am 8 months post-op with Dr. A bi-lateral resurf. (yes

both at one time). Grueling yes for the first 2 weeks, but after

that it has been without a doubt life altering. I think Dr. A is a

god of sorts, as he gave me back my life. I am only 44 with 2 very

young kids, and was very active before OA. I suffered with that for

12 years in the RH and 10 in the LH. Call me if you would like 310-

966-2602. Good luck whatever you decide. Regards, Drew

> Hi Gang,

> Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr.

De

> Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences.

(This

> sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still

interested

> in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing

Dr.

> amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to

ask,

> but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> Chris

February 16, 2004

- i am 8 months post-op with Dr. A bi-lateral resurf. (yes

both at one time). Grueling yes for the first 2 weeks, but after

that it has been without a doubt life altering. I think Dr. A is a

god of sorts, as he gave me back my life. I am only 44 with 2 very

young kids, and was very active before OA. I suffered with that for

12 years in the RH and 10 in the LH. Call me if you would like 310-

966-2602. Good luck whatever you decide. Regards, Drew

> Hi Gang,

> Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr.

De

> Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences.

(This

> sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still

interested

> in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing

Dr.

> amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to

ask,

> but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> Chris

February 16, 2004

- i am 8 months post-op with Dr. A bi-lateral resurf. (yes

both at one time). Grueling yes for the first 2 weeks, but after

that it has been without a doubt life altering. I think Dr. A is a

god of sorts, as he gave me back my life. I am only 44 with 2 very

young kids, and was very active before OA. I suffered with that for

12 years in the RH and 10 in the LH. Call me if you would like 310-

966-2602. Good luck whatever you decide. Regards, Drew

> Hi Gang,

> Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr.

De

> Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences.

(This

> sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still

interested

> in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing

Dr.

> amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to

ask,

> but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> Chris

February 16, 2004

Hello back, !

I should probably not try posting at 1:45am anymore but hey...on De

Smet's website www.hip-clinic.com he shows the resurf prostetics in

current use and further along summarizes a paper that ran in Hip

International in Vol 12, No 2, 2002 on pp.158-162 in which he details

such things as his use of antibiotic laced cement and the very few

actual complications he'd experienced as of the submission of that

article. From what I've seen posted here and personally experienced

contrasted with recovery recommendations found on the various ortho

websites we Belgian hippies seem to benefit from immediate full weight

bearing, hence restoration of muscle tone and strength and resumption

of activity as soon as individually able sooner than folks elsewhere

because of Koen's willingness to use the BHR more aggressively than

his counterparts elsewhere are willing to use their

prosthetic-of-choice and because he's evolved his surgical technique

to minimize procedure time and trauma to the primary gait musculature.

I'm a radiologist, and so not a real doctor after all (inside medical

joke), but having said that, once I had the opportunity to " meet "

Koen, as opposed to someone else's nurse, receptionist or prosthetic

rep, I was immediately impressed with what he had to say about my

specific situation in real present and future terms. We developed the

same immediate rapport that most here have reported, I think as Jude

mentioned because Koen's principal mission is to restore as many of us

as possible to full and active lives first and foremost. That's not to

say that OS's here and elsewhere are not similarly motivated. As

you've pointed out, in the US with it's FDA, also trial lawyers,

specialty boards, competing groups and the like looking to agressively

protect their overlapping domains, it's just that much harder to

practice here the way the true pioneers elsewhere are able to. I've

very much enjoyed your informative postings, Rog. Thanks so much for

clarifying my earlier comments!

Warmest regards,

Steve

> > > Hi

> > >

> > > My guess is that One of the reasons for the seemingly quick recovery

> > times are:

> > >

> > > 1. Surgeon skill and experience. Dr De Smet has done many resurfs

> > now. He always works with the same surgical staff and he has it down

> > to a science. Thus the surgery does not take hours. Also- he

> > believes in using your new joint right away. His refrain is " listen

> > to your body. " Because he is not part of the trial he follows his own

> > guidelines. He is also not afraid of litigation.

> > >

> > > 2. Marc gets you up and around quickly.

> > >

> > > 3. Clientele. It seems that Dr De Smet has perhaps a larger portion

> > of athletes. Granted he also has a larger portion of difficult

> > patients. He also knows his limitations. I honestly believe that he

> > cares about his patients and not the almighty $.

> > >

> > > I know I sound prejudiced. Sorry. I am.

> > >

> > > Jude

> > > disparity in recovery times

> > >

> > > Hi Gang,

> > > Anybody care to get technical and try to tell me why the Dr. De

> > > Smet recovery times are so much quicker than the U.S. recovery

> > > times? Is it just caution, or are there technique differences. (This

> > > sounds like a good one for you, Dr. Steve). And I'm still interested

> > > in hearing peoples experiences at JRI in Los Angeles, I'm seeing Dr.

> > > amstutz on wedesday feb 18 for a consultation before I make up my

> > > mind about U.S. vs. Belgium.

> > > And thanks for the frank discussion on sex....I wanted to ask,

> > > but didnt' want to come off as a perv...

> > > Chris

> > >

February 16, 2004