Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Hey Calvin! Good question! BHR(Belgium) or C+ (LA)...that's your question! I am pondering the very same thing...I'm a pre-surgery bilat. candidate as well and just wondering if one prosthesis would serve me as well as the other-- I think both surgeons have a world of experience with their respective resurf devices....DeSmet uses others besides BHR I believe but those FDA trials limit our choices here in the US. I personally have quirkey hip joint geometry (protrusio acetabulum) and that may dictate my decision. I'm interested to read this discussion! Susie in Memphis In surfacehippy , " newhips2000 " wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Hey Calvin! Good question! BHR(Belgium) or C+ (LA)...that's your question! I am pondering the very same thing...I'm a pre-surgery bilat. candidate as well and just wondering if one prosthesis would serve me as well as the other-- I think both surgeons have a world of experience with their respective resurf devices....DeSmet uses others besides BHR I believe but those FDA trials limit our choices here in the US. I personally have quirkey hip joint geometry (protrusio acetabulum) and that may dictate my decision. I'm interested to read this discussion! Susie in Memphis In surfacehippy , " newhips2000 " wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 > Hey Calvin! Good question! BHR(Belgium) or C+ (LA)...that's your > question! I am pondering the very same thing...I'm a pre-surgery > bilat. candidate as well and just wondering if one prosthesis would > serve me as well as the other-- I think both surgeons have a world of > experience with their respective resurf devices....DeSmet uses others > besides BHR I believe but those FDA trials limit our choices here in > the US. I personally have quirkey hip joint geometry (protrusio > acetabulum) and that may dictate my decision. I'm interested to read > this discussion! There's no clinical evidence suggesting that any of the resurfacing devices available now is superior to any of the others. My understanding is that DeSmet has also started using the C+ in addition to the BHR. One assumes that *he* doesn't think it's an inferior device, or he wouldn't use it. The BHR is available in more sizes, and it offers a screw-mounted dysplasia cup, which may make it a better choice for some individual patients. Amstutz hasn't done as many resurfacings as DeSmet (he must be close to 900 by now, and DeSmet must be closing on 1400), but he is the most experienced resurfacing surgeon in the US. He's also been a pioneer in hip surgery for the last 40 years or so. I think he's a great doc. I couldn't be happier with my bilateral. Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Hi Calvin, Very good question - you've been doing your homework and doing it well. Surgeon selection is your most important consideration; everything else is based on this decision, including the implant device, the hospital, etc. You've identified two of the world's top resurfacing surgeons, and my personal feeling is that you can't go wrong with either. I don't know how you'd choose between them. Both have great track records and a large number of extremely satisfied patients. As you indicate, insurance coverage may dictate your options, but all things being equal (like insurance, costs, geographical, etc.) there's not that much to separate them. They both take very difficult cases and have a very high success rate and also have a close professional relationship and freely share information. Both have patients from all over the globe, so flip a coin and you win either way. But all things are not equal. Since you live in LA, you'll find you get much more personal face-to-face attention at JRI than in Belgium, beginning with your pre-op exams. Do you feel more comfortable with a surgeon opening you up after never seeing you in person prior to surgery (only seeing you're x-rays) or by a surgeon who checks you out personally ahead of time and supervises your x-rays and can order them retaken, or additional tests if he sees something unclear or out of the ordinary. At JRI you also get the associative pre-op tests, including an EKG, blood work, etc. by the same MD who attends you post-op in the hospital – and he has more first hand history for your post op care. And there are six or so follow up checks with JRI that are performed in person, meaning you get more personal attention post op as well as pre-op. And don't underestimate the hardships of traveling so far with a bilateral. It's no walk in the park and you'll have a much easier time of it being close to home, family and friends. And Amstutz can show you first hand the differences between the BHR and C+. So why wouldn't you take advantage of your proximity to JRI? Dave C+ Amstutz, 3.24.98, 2.12.04 > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Hi Calvin, Very good question - you've been doing your homework and doing it well. Surgeon selection is your most important consideration; everything else is based on this decision, including the implant device, the hospital, etc. You've identified two of the world's top resurfacing surgeons, and my personal feeling is that you can't go wrong with either. I don't know how you'd choose between them. Both have great track records and a large number of extremely satisfied patients. As you indicate, insurance coverage may dictate your options, but all things being equal (like insurance, costs, geographical, etc.) there's not that much to separate them. They both take very difficult cases and have a very high success rate and also have a close professional relationship and freely share information. Both have patients from all over the globe, so flip a coin and you win either way. But all things are not equal. Since you live in LA, you'll find you get much more personal face-to-face attention at JRI than in Belgium, beginning with your pre-op exams. Do you feel more comfortable with a surgeon opening you up after never seeing you in person prior to surgery (only seeing you're x-rays) or by a surgeon who checks you out personally ahead of time and supervises your x-rays and can order them retaken, or additional tests if he sees something unclear or out of the ordinary. At JRI you also get the associative pre-op tests, including an EKG, blood work, etc. by the same MD who attends you post-op in the hospital – and he has more first hand history for your post op care. And there are six or so follow up checks with JRI that are performed in person, meaning you get more personal attention post op as well as pre-op. And don't underestimate the hardships of traveling so far with a bilateral. It's no walk in the park and you'll have a much easier time of it being close to home, family and friends. And Amstutz can show you first hand the differences between the BHR and C+. So why wouldn't you take advantage of your proximity to JRI? Dave C+ Amstutz, 3.24.98, 2.12.04 > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Calvin, I know an Amstutz bilat patient who initially considered going to Belgium because he was paying out of pocket and Belgium was cheaper. This was last year when De Smet was $10K or more less expensive than Amstutz. You have to wonder how many patients chose De Smet due to price. Now that there's more price parity between them, maybe we'll see. I can give you the name and contact info of the bilat patient I'm referring to if you're interested. He's very happy he paid the extra for Amstutz. Dave > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Calvin, I know an Amstutz bilat patient who initially considered going to Belgium because he was paying out of pocket and Belgium was cheaper. This was last year when De Smet was $10K or more less expensive than Amstutz. You have to wonder how many patients chose De Smet due to price. Now that there's more price parity between them, maybe we'll see. I can give you the name and contact info of the bilat patient I'm referring to if you're interested. He's very happy he paid the extra for Amstutz. Dave > Hi Everyone, > > I will be meeting with Dr.Amstutz on July 7th. I would prefer to go > to Belguin for the BHR with Dr. De Smoets, but will have to let > insurance dictate my situation. > > This is a crazy question, But I've got to throw it out: Has anyone > ever had their hips done by these 2 (meaning one person) doctors, and > the comparison, if it exist? I am a candidate for Bi-lateral. > > Otherwise, any responses re: Dr. Amstutz would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Calvin Jung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > Hi, Rog... > > I did not state that the C+ was superior. In fact, I agreed with Steve > G. that we simply won't know which device performs most effectively... One possibility is that when all the results are in, there will be no clear " winner " of the different surface replacements. One way that could happen is that they mostly outlast our lifetimes. Mike McGuire C+ Amstutz 1/31/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > Hi, Rog... > > I did not state that the C+ was superior. In fact, I agreed with Steve > G. that we simply won't know which device performs most effectively... One possibility is that when all the results are in, there will be no clear " winner " of the different surface replacements. One way that could happen is that they mostly outlast our lifetimes. Mike McGuire C+ Amstutz 1/31/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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