RE: Re: resurfacing vs THR & osteoporosis

[Guest guest]

Hi Susie,

More on osteoporosis........... From my observation many doctors, let alone

lay people, are pretty confused about the whole issue of whys and wherefores

of osteoporosis........... For years people, mainly women, were told

eat/swallow more calcium that this was the answer to avoiding growing old

with osteoporosis.........but then they realised it isn't............ You

can feed a body as much calcium as you like but unless it knows what to do

with it and/or sees a need to place it on a bone, that is a complete waste,

unless a diet is totally bereft of calcium...........

Then they started feeding people fosomax etc which remember is a chemical

hormone............the theory being that it would alert the body into

putting back more bone than it was taking.............. theory being that

it was the run down of estogen etal that caused the bones not to replace

themselves enough to remain dense........... Again the body has to

understand what this is for and that it is meant to put said extras on say a

femur bone.......... and it doesn't just go do that effectively without

prompts............... So that isn't a simple answer to solving a complex

problem, and that's without the side effects of said drugs...........

As I understand it they are now getting to looking at the role exercise and

appropriate use of bones plays in the whole process................ they

have now found by going into aged care homes and getting people moving

bodies will naturally increase bone density and muscle texture, but it has

to be bones put under some pressure........... i.e. the body doesn't do

these things effectively without prompts as to why it

should..............And moving, 'appropriate' pressure is a big key to all

this in most situations............ thus doing appropriate exercise is one

critical factor for forcing the brain to look after the bones............

and studies are showing that while taking regular long walks helps, it isn't

really enough pressure to ensure long term healthy strong

bones..........i.e. as a physio said to me recently the longer she looks at

this stuff the more convinced she is our genetic structure/memory or

whatever is geared to support us doing fast sprints daily, don't do that and

we are in trouble.............

Sadly very painful joints generally preclude people doing the necessary

jumping up and down, jogging, running etc that will ensure bones remain

normally dense over time............ and one of the issues that doesn't get

discussed enough about the difference between a THR and Resurface...........

i.e. a Resurface permits the necessary stress loading down the femur to keep

the brain engaged in keeping bone density whereas a THR struggles to do

this.......... which is another reason revisions occur with

THR's.............and I suspect some Resurface OS's encourage their patients

to go thump their Resurfaced hips with running etc..............

All a very complex issue with many catch 22's...............

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> Judy....I am 51 and pre-surgery....I have been observing this site

> for about 5 months now and occasionally ask questions about

> actenel/fosomax but rarely get a response. I would agree with Pamela

> that it seems that your best bet would Treacy or DeSmet. I know there

> is a greater chance of breaking the femoral neck with osteoporosis.

> The DeSmet website states osteoporosis as a contraindication. I am

> taking fosomax myself in hopes of keeping my bones healthy for

> surgery and I can tell you I'm gonna be VERY disappointed if I can't

> have re-surfacing. Best of Luck to you...I understand that you can

> send your x-rays to Desmet and he will respond withing 24 hours. Let

> us know what you find out. Susie in Memphis

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Susie,

More on osteoporosis........... From my observation many doctors, let alone

lay people, are pretty confused about the whole issue of whys and wherefores

of osteoporosis........... For years people, mainly women, were told

eat/swallow more calcium that this was the answer to avoiding growing old

with osteoporosis.........but then they realised it isn't............ You

can feed a body as much calcium as you like but unless it knows what to do

with it and/or sees a need to place it on a bone, that is a complete waste,

unless a diet is totally bereft of calcium...........

Then they started feeding people fosomax etc which remember is a chemical

hormone............the theory being that it would alert the body into

putting back more bone than it was taking.............. theory being that

it was the run down of estogen etal that caused the bones not to replace

themselves enough to remain dense........... Again the body has to

understand what this is for and that it is meant to put said extras on say a

femur bone.......... and it doesn't just go do that effectively without

prompts............... So that isn't a simple answer to solving a complex

problem, and that's without the side effects of said drugs...........

As I understand it they are now getting to looking at the role exercise and

appropriate use of bones plays in the whole process................ they

have now found by going into aged care homes and getting people moving

bodies will naturally increase bone density and muscle texture, but it has

to be bones put under some pressure........... i.e. the body doesn't do

these things effectively without prompts as to why it

should..............And moving, 'appropriate' pressure is a big key to all

this in most situations............ thus doing appropriate exercise is one

critical factor for forcing the brain to look after the bones............

and studies are showing that while taking regular long walks helps, it isn't

really enough pressure to ensure long term healthy strong

bones..........i.e. as a physio said to me recently the longer she looks at

this stuff the more convinced she is our genetic structure/memory or

whatever is geared to support us doing fast sprints daily, don't do that and

we are in trouble.............

Sadly very painful joints generally preclude people doing the necessary

jumping up and down, jogging, running etc that will ensure bones remain

normally dense over time............ and one of the issues that doesn't get

discussed enough about the difference between a THR and Resurface...........

i.e. a Resurface permits the necessary stress loading down the femur to keep

the brain engaged in keeping bone density whereas a THR struggles to do

this.......... which is another reason revisions occur with

THR's.............and I suspect some Resurface OS's encourage their patients

to go thump their Resurfaced hips with running etc..............

All a very complex issue with many catch 22's...............

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> Judy....I am 51 and pre-surgery....I have been observing this site

> for about 5 months now and occasionally ask questions about

> actenel/fosomax but rarely get a response. I would agree with Pamela

> that it seems that your best bet would Treacy or DeSmet. I know there

> is a greater chance of breaking the femoral neck with osteoporosis.

> The DeSmet website states osteoporosis as a contraindication. I am

> taking fosomax myself in hopes of keeping my bones healthy for

> surgery and I can tell you I'm gonna be VERY disappointed if I can't

> have re-surfacing. Best of Luck to you...I understand that you can

> send your x-rays to Desmet and he will respond withing 24 hours. Let

> us know what you find out. Susie in Memphis

>