In need of help from the community

March 3, 2004

I am a 32 year old Canadian male with severe degenerative

osteoarthrittis of the right hip. I had a hip debridement

approximately 3 1/2 years ago and have been told by two Canadian

orthopedic surgeons that I now require further surgery. They both

feel strongly that a BHR hip resurfacing is by far the best option

for me, however, there is not a surgeon who can to do the surgery in

Canada. It isn't approved here yet(although they might still be

doing clinical trials) I've filed for an Out-Of-Country Application

in hopes that Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) would fund some

if not all of the cost of my surgery with Dr. De Smet (who seems to

be very nice, we have emailed back and forth and he has been very

helpful). To make a long story short, my first request was deined

based on lack of information. My doctor and I have been granted an

appeal and I am trying desperately to gather information (studies on

BHR vs THR... etc) on why BHR is the better option than a THR for

some one of my age (I'm also trying to give OHIP very little holes

to weasel out of paying for a surgery that if it was perfromed here

they would cover). I've viewed and taken most of the info off your

Data base and links (thanks.. it is really helpfull.. good job). My

doctor says that the argument what may be posed from OHIP is there

aren't any " Long Term Studies " (long term here is based on a period

of ten years or more). Doing research myself, I've learned quite a

bit and knowing what I know now.. don't expect to find any " long

Term Studies " *wink*

I'm in desperate need of any help that anyone out there can give me.

With kind regards,

(hoping to get back to a normal life)

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