Re: resurfacing vs THR & osteoporosis

[Guest guest]

Hi,

The reason they worry about osteoporosis is that the femur head could be

expected to crack more easily when they are hammering on the resurface

prothesis............. that would lead to needing a revision..............

In addition there is the higher chance of simply cracking the neck of the

femur with osteoporosis - though I note the way my OS put my BHR on the

femur neck would seem to be more covered than I see on other Resurface

xrays.......... so maybe they can make some provision there................

My femur head had started to show signs of osteoporosis but as that was

isolated to that one hip area it was fairly obvious it was from lack of

appropriate use........... i.e. it is hard to keep or pick up bone density

if a bone isn't being used as it is meant to be............. The bone

density quickly picked up again following my resurface and being able to do

appropriate exercise again. I was 53 when I had the resurface.........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> I have just joined the surferhippies. I am 55 yrs

> old, female and have problems with both hips. I

> finally have an appointment with an OS next Monday to

> discuss hip replacements. As the appointment

> approaches, I am becoming more aware of alternatives

> to THR. It seems to me that resurfacing would be a

> more suitable alternative for me, bearing in mind my

> age. However, I have osteoporosis (top end of severe

> rating) in both femurs - this was discovered just over

> a year ago and since then I have been on bone density

> medication (Actenol), calcium supplements, etc. A

> recent bone density test 2 weeks ago showed a 5%

> increase in bone density. My question is, does anyone

> have any information on whether the resurfacing

> procedure can be performed on someone with

> osteoporosis or is totally out of the question.

>

> Judy, Vancouver, BC

>