Re: New Guy - Help w/Conserve Plus

[Guest guest]

> Is the

> consensus that the C+ is a better solution since you can always do

> the Conserve later?

That was my thought. And true, I believe, with all the resurf

devices, not just the C+.

> How much of an issue is it that it may come

> loose due to tissue death under the cap?

My surgeon, Dr. Gross, said it happens less than 1% of the time.

> Is there any life expectancy to the C+ or is it too

> soon to tell?

Only estimates at this point. The bearing surfaces should last a very

long time if nothing comes loose.

> 2)are there any issues with gettting an out of state

> referral approved.

That will depend on your insurance plan. If you are in a national PPO

plan, it may not be a problem.

> 3)has anyone found any statistically significant

> evidence that the metal/metal could cause some type of cancer long

> term?

Nothing definitive.

> Hope I'm not breaking protocol by asking so many questions on

> my first post, but I want to pick the best possible solution and I'm

> ready to schedule in Cleveland, assuming I can get in, if the

> feedback is very positive.

No problem.

You might contact Dr. Myron Stachniw in Galesburg, Illinois. Is that

somewhere close to you? He is not only a resurf surgeon but also a

resurf patient. He had his done by Dr. Tom Gross (who also did mine).

Dr. Myron Stachniw, M.D.

Galesburg Orthopedics

Galesburg, IL

Contact: Ms. Reva Hennenfent, RN

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

[Guest guest]

> Is the

> consensus that the C+ is a better solution since you can always do

> the Conserve later?

That was my thought. And true, I believe, with all the resurf

devices, not just the C+.

> How much of an issue is it that it may come

> loose due to tissue death under the cap?

My surgeon, Dr. Gross, said it happens less than 1% of the time.

> Is there any life expectancy to the C+ or is it too

> soon to tell?

Only estimates at this point. The bearing surfaces should last a very

long time if nothing comes loose.

> 2)are there any issues with gettting an out of state

> referral approved.

That will depend on your insurance plan. If you are in a national PPO

plan, it may not be a problem.

> 3)has anyone found any statistically significant

> evidence that the metal/metal could cause some type of cancer long

> term?

Nothing definitive.

> Hope I'm not breaking protocol by asking so many questions on

> my first post, but I want to pick the best possible solution and I'm

> ready to schedule in Cleveland, assuming I can get in, if the

> feedback is very positive.

No problem.

You might contact Dr. Myron Stachniw in Galesburg, Illinois. Is that

somewhere close to you? He is not only a resurf surgeon but also a

resurf patient. He had his done by Dr. Tom Gross (who also did mine).

Dr. Myron Stachniw, M.D.

Galesburg Orthopedics

Galesburg, IL

Contact: Ms. Reva Hennenfent, RN

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

[Guest guest]

> Ok help me out.

That's what we're here for.

> I'm 52, I need a new hip, and I've been researching

> hip replacement info for months. I finally decided I should cancel

> my appt. I have scheduled in Sept. to have the traditional

> metal/plastic hip replacement done in Grand Rapids, MI. After I

> scheduled for the metal/plastic, I did more research and convinced

> myself I should find a doctor in West Michigan that does the Conserve

> metal/metal, due to it's resistance to dislocation. Then I stumbled

> across the Conserve Plus and am now considering getting referred to

> Cleveland, assuming my HMO approves an out of state THR. Three

> questions: 1)How is everyone been doing with this type of surgery?

Well, I've got two of them (11 weeks ago) and I'm doing great. I'm

walking, cycling, lifting weights, and teaching karate. I have

much improved (and continually improving) range of motion and NO

PAIN.

> I read a spooky story on the web about a patient who after a year ended

> up having to go the Conserve route after the C+ came loose.

This happens. It happens very rarely, but it happens.

>Is the

> consensus that the C+ is a better solution since you can always do

> the Conserve later?

Well, that was *my* attitude.

> How much of an issue is it that it may come

> loose due to tissue death under the cap?

It's pretty rare, particularly with more experienced surgeons.

> I really like the idea of

> having a solid 2nd option to fall back on if the resurfacing route

> didn't work out. Is there any life expectancy to the C+ or is it too

> soon to tell?

It's too soon to tell what the longevity of the implants will be. The

intermediate term results suggest that resurfacing lasts at least as

long as THR in younger, more active patients.

> 2)are there any issues with gettting an out of state

> referral approved. I was told to code it as a THR and it would not

> be an issue.

Insurance is a perpetual problem for those of us in the US. This

varies so much from company to company that it's hard to give a

definitive answer.

> 3)has anyone found any statistically significant

> evidence that the metal/metal could cause some type of cancer long

> term?

There aren't any long-term results for resurfacing (some of us are

currently enrolled in metal ion studies). However, in the 1960s,

numerous patients received metal-on-metal THRs made of the same alloy.

Long-term studies of these patients have shown no increase in

malignancies (in fact, one such study showed a slight reduction in the

incidence of some cancers, but it wasn't statistically significant).

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

:

I am 41 and have bilateral hip Osteoarthritis. I was told that the

metal / plastic THR was the way to go by 2 prominent Boston

orthopedic surgeons. I did my research and decided that there was no

way that they were going to install a hunk of plastic in my hip. I

had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross 2 weeks ago and it feels

absolutely fabulous!! All of the arthritis pain is Completely Gone

and the surgical stiffness / weakness is rapidly disappearing. I

should be crutch-free within a week. Do yourself a favor and

seriously consider resurfacing. I am biased, but I would highly

recommend Dr. Gross in Columbia S.C. It was worth the trip!!

There is no convincing data that metal ions increase the risk of

cancer. Traditional THR implants presumably also have metal ion

issues, so if you need an implant, you will have to deal with metal

ions either way. Resurfacing is now the standard of care in England

and other countries and will ultimately be approved here in the US.

Thus if the metal ions ultimately increase the risk of cancer (only

time will tell), we'll be in good company.

Insurance is somewhat of a gamble. Some people have been covered,

many more haven't. I took the gamble and we'll see what happens. If

I ultimately wind up paying for it out of my pocket, my hip feels so

good right now, it was worth it.

Good luck with your decision.

Jim

C2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04

[Guest guest]

Jim...

Be careful, boy...with talk like that you could become the poster boy

for a whole movement. But congratulations. I never would have

believed that " no pain " could be a goal in my life. I do believe it

now.

I've been surprised at times at the intelligence, conviction and

tenacity of the people I've encountered in the group. (And you

certainly fall in the line) But I don't think anybody gets here by

accident, acquiescence, or inadvertance. Given the flak fired up at

resurfacing by the mainstream medical gunneries, it's a credit to

anybody here that they got here at all.

Congratulations, and do keep us apprised of your progress. You are

the folks who give the rest of us a reason to keep slogging against

the insurance companies. Thanks for hanging around to share the good

parts.

Alan

> :

>

> I am 41 and have bilateral hip Osteoarthritis. I was told that the

> metal / plastic THR was the way to go by 2 prominent Boston

> orthopedic surgeons. I did my research and decided that there was

no

> way that they were going to install a hunk of plastic in my hip. I

> had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross 2 weeks ago and it feels

> absolutely fabulous!! All of the arthritis pain is Completely Gone

> and the surgical stiffness / weakness is rapidly disappearing. I

> should be crutch-free within a week. Do yourself a favor and

> seriously consider resurfacing. I am biased, but I would highly

> recommend Dr. Gross in Columbia S.C. It was worth the trip!!

>

> There is no convincing data that metal ions increase the risk of

> cancer. Traditional THR implants presumably also have metal ion

> issues, so if you need an implant, you will have to deal with metal

> ions either way. Resurfacing is now the standard of care in England

> and other countries and will ultimately be approved here in the US.

> Thus if the metal ions ultimately increase the risk of cancer (only

> time will tell), we'll be in good company.

>

> Insurance is somewhat of a gamble. Some people have been covered,

> many more haven't. I took the gamble and we'll see what happens. If

> I ultimately wind up paying for it out of my pocket, my hip feels

so

> good right now, it was worth it.

>

> Good luck with your decision.

>

> Jim

> C2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04

[Guest guest]

Jim...

Be careful, boy...with talk like that you could become the poster boy

for a whole movement. But congratulations. I never would have

believed that " no pain " could be a goal in my life. I do believe it

now.

I've been surprised at times at the intelligence, conviction and

tenacity of the people I've encountered in the group. (And you

certainly fall in the line) But I don't think anybody gets here by

accident, acquiescence, or inadvertance. Given the flak fired up at

resurfacing by the mainstream medical gunneries, it's a credit to

anybody here that they got here at all.

Congratulations, and do keep us apprised of your progress. You are

the folks who give the rest of us a reason to keep slogging against

the insurance companies. Thanks for hanging around to share the good

parts.

Alan

> :

>

> I am 41 and have bilateral hip Osteoarthritis. I was told that the

> metal / plastic THR was the way to go by 2 prominent Boston

> orthopedic surgeons. I did my research and decided that there was

no

> way that they were going to install a hunk of plastic in my hip. I

> had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross 2 weeks ago and it feels

> absolutely fabulous!! All of the arthritis pain is Completely Gone

> and the surgical stiffness / weakness is rapidly disappearing. I

> should be crutch-free within a week. Do yourself a favor and

> seriously consider resurfacing. I am biased, but I would highly

> recommend Dr. Gross in Columbia S.C. It was worth the trip!!

>

> There is no convincing data that metal ions increase the risk of

> cancer. Traditional THR implants presumably also have metal ion

> issues, so if you need an implant, you will have to deal with metal

> ions either way. Resurfacing is now the standard of care in England

> and other countries and will ultimately be approved here in the US.

> Thus if the metal ions ultimately increase the risk of cancer (only

> time will tell), we'll be in good company.

>

> Insurance is somewhat of a gamble. Some people have been covered,

> many more haven't. I took the gamble and we'll see what happens. If

> I ultimately wind up paying for it out of my pocket, my hip feels

so

> good right now, it was worth it.

>

> Good luck with your decision.

>

> Jim

> C2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04

[Guest guest]

Jim...

Be careful, boy...with talk like that you could become the poster boy

for a whole movement. But congratulations. I never would have

believed that " no pain " could be a goal in my life. I do believe it

now.

I've been surprised at times at the intelligence, conviction and

tenacity of the people I've encountered in the group. (And you

certainly fall in the line) But I don't think anybody gets here by

accident, acquiescence, or inadvertance. Given the flak fired up at

resurfacing by the mainstream medical gunneries, it's a credit to

anybody here that they got here at all.

Congratulations, and do keep us apprised of your progress. You are

the folks who give the rest of us a reason to keep slogging against

the insurance companies. Thanks for hanging around to share the good

parts.

Alan

> :

>

> I am 41 and have bilateral hip Osteoarthritis. I was told that the

> metal / plastic THR was the way to go by 2 prominent Boston

> orthopedic surgeons. I did my research and decided that there was

no

> way that they were going to install a hunk of plastic in my hip. I

> had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross 2 weeks ago and it feels

> absolutely fabulous!! All of the arthritis pain is Completely Gone

> and the surgical stiffness / weakness is rapidly disappearing. I

> should be crutch-free within a week. Do yourself a favor and

> seriously consider resurfacing. I am biased, but I would highly

> recommend Dr. Gross in Columbia S.C. It was worth the trip!!

>

> There is no convincing data that metal ions increase the risk of

> cancer. Traditional THR implants presumably also have metal ion

> issues, so if you need an implant, you will have to deal with metal

> ions either way. Resurfacing is now the standard of care in England

> and other countries and will ultimately be approved here in the US.

> Thus if the metal ions ultimately increase the risk of cancer (only

> time will tell), we'll be in good company.

>

> Insurance is somewhat of a gamble. Some people have been covered,

> many more haven't. I took the gamble and we'll see what happens. If

> I ultimately wind up paying for it out of my pocket, my hip feels

so

> good right now, it was worth it.

>

> Good luck with your decision.

>

> Jim

> C2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04