Re: condition of femur

[Guest guest]

paulleve2004@... writes:

> visited JRI in LA recently and was told that I was not a good

> candidate for resurfacing because of severe arthritis in my left hip

> but my right hip could be resurfaced because my femur had only

> moderate deterioration. I was also told that Cal. BC would not pay

> for resurfacing. Any THR's or resurfacing candidates with similar

> experiences?

>

It ain't over till the fat lady sings. ...Or to our PC foes... It ain't over

till the weight challenged lady sings. I too, was told by JBL in LA that I

was not a good candidate for a resurfacing. Said, Dr. Schmalzried, " I would not

do it if I were you. " Even Dr. De Smet had reservations.

Fast forward ..... I have a resurfaced right BHR and I am incredibly happy.

" No " was just unacceptable to me... Even it the BHR were to last 5 years ....

Still know that I made the right decision. And if it was going to be done, as

expertly as it has, it would have been performed by Dr. De Smet himself. So, my

advise ....Don't accept " No " for any answer unless you tried all your

options. I attach a recent email I sent to Dr. De Smet, who was gracious enough

to

respond with a warm thank you note. Good luck to you!

Rob K. (NYC) r/BHR De Smet Feb 3rd, 04

Dear Dr. De Smet,

It is five weeks since my surgery date of Feb 3rd. Very happy to report that

I am progressing very well.  Feel with every day decreasing stiffness and more

ROM. 

It is really quite wonderful, that it certainly appears that I will fully

regain my life back as I have once known it. Thank you very much for

reconsidering my more difficult surgical case. I look back fondly on the whole

experience

and will never will forget your kindness and that of your staff.

Below is a posting I sent to the .com Surfacehippy ListServ on

February 25. Feel to quote me from anything I have written.

Warmest Regards,

K.

My Belgium Experience (Feb 3rd, 2004)

How many breakfast buffets can one eat? …This Belgium surfacehippy (Feb 3rd)

finally went home last week. I, too, have the highest regard for Dr. Koen De

Smet.  Could not have asked for a more skilled, caring and dedicated surgeon. 

The phrase, a " well oiled machine, " many times mentioned, aptly describes the

whole Belgium experience …   If it's 10:15am…. Having physical therapy

with

Marc.

Was originally denied by Dr. De Smet in the Fall 2003, as having " Crossed the

line " with advanced Avascular Necrosis and cysts.  He later reconsidered,

upon my pleading (smile). He would only acknowledge that a resurfacing, " May be

possible. "  

He custom made my BHR by turning it upside, poured in cement and set it

aside. He said the additional cement would harden and add to the thickness of

the

metal prosthesis. Said in countries where AVN is more widespread (due to

excessive alcohol consumption) the prosthesis have more metal in them. The

disease

has progressed so much over the months it has become difficult to walk without

nearly toppling over.

I arrived in Gent with my industrial strength, stainless steel elbow

crutches. Was chided with the name, " Tiny Tim, " as it outwardly appeared that I

was

stricken with some highly irreversible degenerative disorder. Hoped it was not

too late for Dr. De Smet to be able to perform his magic upon me.

Already resigned myself to the fact that I may likely wake up in the recovery

room with a THR. My last conscious moment, before the surgery, was being told

that we are going to see the anesthetist. Woke up in recovery, with immense

soreness at my operated side.     Asked the attending nurse, if received a

resurfacing procedure.  She responded, " You better ask Dr. De Smet. " … (Yikes,

I

thought, … not a good sign.) Later that day, Dr. De Smet walked in my hospital

room and broke the news. Said my bone was soft and had much to remove to get to

something solid, but I did indeed get a resurfacing. He said soberly, " Nine

out of ten surgeons would have performed a THR on me. "   

He instructed me to remain on crutches for six weeks. (A rarity, for him, I

hear.) I have no problem with that. This is what surgeons advise in America,

anyway.   Donated my industrial strength crutches to the hotel for someone who

may need then more than me. Purchased from Marc, cool, easy to manage, elbow

crutches that look more like ski poles.

Seven days post-op we toured Paris. Saw the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame

Cathedral and had a wonderful dinner. (Hi, Mike and !)  Remarkably, I

cannot

distinguish any leg length discrepancy. Hard to recall when both legs touched

the ground simultaneously (smile).

Dr. De Smet said the next six months are critical with an increased risk of

fracture.  Advised to refrain from lower body exercises during this time. Am in

no rush to head to my gym anytime soon. Otherwise, he said, after six months,

the femur bone under the cap should continue to strengthen, as in the case

with other surfacehippies. He said while he does not personally recommend it, I

could get a Dexa Scan of my hip upon arrival in America and repeat the

procedure six months later.  He said the scan would show that my femur bone

became a

whole lot stronger.  Realizing that I am a gym rat, I think Dr. De Smet wanted

to put my mind at ease. The kind doctor listens carefully to his patients. 

I will keep you informed of my progress. Yesterday, I removed my bandage and

visited my physician who checked the incision. He was amazed how incredibly

careful it was stitched and how quickly it was healing. He was amazed too, how

well and active I appeared so soon after undergoing major surgery. I left his

office feeling like a medical marvel and a truly lucky man. Already sensing a

taste a spring in the air after a rather harsh winter, I felt brighter, warmer

and happier days lie ahead. Thank You, Dr. Koen De Smet!

Kavaliauskas   r/BHR  De Smet   Feb 3rd, 04

[Guest guest]

> I visited JRI in LA recently and was told that I was not a good

> candidate for resurfacing because of severe arthritis in my left

hip

> but my right hip could be resurfaced because my femur had only

> moderate deterioration. I was also told that Cal. BC would not pay

> for resurfacing. Any THR's or resurfacing candidates with similar

> experiences?

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. Blue Cross won't cover resurfacing

until the FDA gets around to approving it and my bone is

deteriorating--fairly large cyst on femur head. Dr. Amstutz has

suggested I go ahead and get THR with the metal/metal BHR-big head

femur. My other hip has just the hint of a forming cyst and could

wait for resurfacing. I'm trying to make up my mind. It seems that

his proposal avoids polyethelen debris-inflammatory response-bone

loss-revision. It also has the flexibility and stability of

resurfacing due to the large head. He spoke highly of the stem he

uses and I haven't found much solid information on those. I would

still be losing a large junk or bone that I can never get back.

Anybody else stuck on this decission? What are you considering in

making a decision?

He said an attorney who paid cash for both hips to be resurfaced is

getting together a lawsuit against BC. Anyone know anything about

that?