Personal Stories 07

Link http://alexianbrothershealth.org

June 25, 2007 - For Tony Wojtkowski the realization that he was facing a lifetime of living in pain came last Christmas while shopping with his wife. "I could barely walk around the mall," said the 45 year-old housing consultant from South Elgin. "I had to stop and rest every couple of minutes, the pain was unbearable."

Wojtkowski, like millions of individuals, suffers from hip pain caused by osteoarthritis, a joint disease that affects cartilage. Unfortunately, cortisone injections and painkillers provided only temporary relief of Wojtkowski's pain. He was further discouraged after doctors advised him against having hip replacement surgery because he was still relatively young, and would basically "wear out" the replacement implant much sooner than someone less active. "I explored every option available," said Wojtkowski. He eventually came to the conclusion that his constant pain would always interfere with his personal and professional life. "I mostly missed the simple things like being able to go on bike rides with my kids."

In January of 2007, Wojtkowski learned of a brand new procedure from Dr. Daniel Kuesis of Midwest Sports Medicine, an orthopedic surgeon with the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network in suburban Chicago. The procedure, called hip resurfacing, would give Wojtkowski hope for regaining a pain-free life. Dr. Kuesis is among the first surgeons in the country to be trained in the remarkable new Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) technique. Rather than replacing the entire hip joint, hip resurfacing simply shaves and caps a few centimeters of bone within the joint. The bone-conserving approach of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System preserves more of the patient's natural bone structures and stability, covering the joint's surfaces with an all-metal implant that more closely resembles a tooth cap than a hip implant. This approach reduces the post-operative risks of dislocation, and because the all-metal implant is made from tough, smooth cobalt chrome, it outlasts traditional hip implants.

Total hip replacement involves the removal of the entire femoral head and neck explained Dr. Kuesis. The Birmingham Hip resurfacing technique, however, leaves the head and neck untouched. It is this neck length and angle that determines the natural length of a patient's leg after surgery, and since it is not removed and replaced with an artificial device during the resurfacing procedure, there is a greater likelihood of maintaining accurate leg length, thus resumption of normal physical activities. "This is one of the most exciting procedures I've seen in years," said Kuesis. "I see hip resurfacing as the ideal solution for many of my young, active patients who suffer from hip pain. As my patients are getting younger and younger, and are staying physically active much later in life, I've needed an alternative to total hip replacement that accommodates their age and lifestyle.

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System is that alternative." Remarkably, an estimated two million Americans who suffer from hip osteoarthritis are under the age of 65. "There has always been that perception that hip surgery is for the elderly, but that's simply not the case anymore. We're seeing many patients in their 40s who are already experiencing severe osteoarthritis," explained Kuesis. Just one month after receiving his hip resurfacing, Wojtkowski is making remarkable progress, and can already tell a difference in both his mobility and function. "It is like a new lease on life," he continued. "I am so grateful for this technology and those who are making it available."

Link  http://news.uky.edu/news/display_article.php?artid=2299

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2007) − At the young age of 33, Allen Harris already has had his first hip resurfacing procedure. Exactly one year ago, a car accident during the line of duty as a London police officer left him with a broken femur, crushed joints and a broken and dislocated hip. But thanks to a new procedure called the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System, Harris, like many other active young people, was able to resume normal activities and an active lifestyle.

After his accident in May 2006, Harris had a procedure to reconstruct his hip. But he still had pain, and 70 percent of his ball joint had died. New to UK HealthCare, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Mauro Giordani heard about Harris's hip issues and talked to him about the Birmingham Hip procedure. After discussing various surgical options with Giordani, Harris decided it was the best option available.

Thankfully, Giordani, who is among the first surgeons in the country trained to perform the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedure, was able to help Harris in his time of need. Harris knew he wanted to get back to his career. "I'd only been a police officer for six years, and I didn't want to retire too young," he said.

Later the same day as his procedure in November, Harris was up walking with crutches. After only two weeks, Harris said he was walking just fine. Giordani said the Birmingham Hip procedure is allowing young people like Harris to remain active and productive members of society.

"Dr. Giordani is one of the finest people I've come across," Harris said. "I'm glad he was there to help me."

After the accident, Harris was afraid he would have lifelong problems and never be able to work again. But now he says his life is back to normal, and that he has no pain in his hip.

Harris went back to work as a London police officer in January 2007. He said he feels good and is getting back in the swing of things. "I'm a pretty determined person," he said.

About the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System

Link http://columbia-stmarys.com/NewsPressReleases.asp?PageID=WTN000194

Kathy Schmit is a wife, mother, an executive director of a non-profit organization, a runner - and a recent Columbia St. Mary’s patient for an innovative hip resurfacing procedure.

On most days, her role as a surgical patient slips her mind, particularly when she’s out enjoying a three-mile run. "It’s amazing. I’ve had no pain since the surgery. I feel wonderful," she said of the active lifestyle that she has regained since her surgery last fall.

Kathy credits Columbia
St. Mary’s surgeons and staff, the hospital’s Joint Camp program and her own determination for the positive outcome from her orthopaedic procedure - a procedure that offers patients an alternative to traditional total hip replacement surgery.

Kathy, 56, had been a dedicated runner for nearly three decades. Through years of training and running, and completing four marathons including the famed Boston Marathon, she had a runner’s mindset when it came to injuries. "They say runners are either tough, stubborn or in denial. I think I was all three," she said of her reluctance to back off on running when she began to feel pain in her left hip during her workouts. That was five years ago.

As time went on, the pain worsened. "Toughing it out," as Kathy put it, wasn’t working for her anymore. She went to see Dr. Richard Karr at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee Campus, who diagnosed arthritis in her left hip. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory and told her to back off of running. Admittedly, she backed off "a bit."

Convinced that a total hip replacement would finish her running life, Kathy resisted that type of surgery. "Running was a big part of my life. It was my exercise -- my meditation. I wasn’t prepared to give that up," she said. But after four years of doing an end-run around her hip problem, Kathy was open to any solution. "By last summer the pain was so bad I couldn’t stand it. I walked with a noticeable limp and couldn’t sleep at night," she said. "I told Dr. Karr I’d do anything."

Understanding her passion for running, Dr. Karr recommended that she see Dr. Mike Anderson -- an orthopaedic surgeon at Columbia St. Mary’s who was specially trained in the latest technique of hip resurfacing. This technique gave Kathy the greatest chance to realize her goal to run again - pain free.

Dr. Anderson evaluated Kathy. He said she was a good candidate for the surgery because she was young, active, very motivated and had good bone density.

Kathy had done her research on the resurfacing technique and felt confident that the procedure was a good option. Although it still was surgery, the end of the femur bone would not be removed but reshaped and fitted with a metal cap, which fits into a metal lining in the pelvic bone. "It’s the metal-on-metal joint that gives you an advantage with fit and wear," she said.

Her surgery was scheduled for October 17, 2006. But first, Kathy went to Columbia St. Mary’s Joint Camp. "Columbia St. Mary’s does a great job preparing you and managing your expectations about surgery, recovery and rehab," she said. Joint Camp specifically addresses the needs and issues of joint replacement patients.

Kathy had surgery on Tuesday and went home on Thursday - a day ahead of schedule. Her pain was well managed and she was very motivated about her rehabilitation. "I can’t say enough about the Columbia St. Mary’s orthopaedic floor - incredible nursing care. They know exactly what to do," she said.

In less than a week after surgery, with the aid of crutches, she was walking to the end of her driveway. By the end of the third week, she didn’t use them at all. "I healed really well and progressed exactly the way Dr. Anderson said I would," she said.

Kathy started weight training in December to regain strength and balance. And around the first of the year she began a power-walking regimen. With a plan of a mid-April Arizona vacation with her husband Tom, Kathy adjusted her goal. The thought of running in the warm desert air was a powerful draw. "I went to see Dr. Anderson and he told me I could start jogging every other day," she said.

Kathy power walks and gets out on her usual five-mile route three times a week, although now she walks the first and last miles while jogging the three miles in between - all without pain. Although she prefers to be outside, Kathy also works out on her elliptical machine.

Kathy is grateful that the doctors and staff at Columbia St. Mary’s understood how important it was for her to run again and to regain the level of activity she once enjoyed. She also understands the importance of listening to your body. "Scheduling days off from your workout routine is an important part of maintaining your physical fitness," she said.

"Studies show that men who jog at least once a week have roughly 5% denser bones than men who don't jog but are otherwise active.

 

This could be a chicken or the egg thing; whether the men who naturally take to jogging have denser bones to start, or if the jogging itself causes density changes. What is important here is that a runner will have a different presentation than a non-runner when undergoing a surgical correction like a BHR.

 

If you have never played football, then taking up football at the age of fifty might not be a good idea. Running is the same. I have been running for more than thirty years at the marathon distance and beyond, and during that time I have seen hundreds and hundreds of weekend warriors come and go, putting bodies that were never designed for running through their paces until the bodies broke. Knee injuries, foot injuries, plantar fascitis, IT syndrome, on and on - all possible signals that your body was not designed to run. I have never suffered an injury from running [beyond an occasional blister]; if I did I doubt I would continue it. Each person has a different genetic package they bring to the table.

 

Scott Tinley was one of the most prolific triathletes of all time, competing in and winning hundreds of triathlons all over the globe. Scott has been suffering through hip problems for a number of years and recently decided to have his hip resurfaced on Thursday, December 13th in Wisconsin with Dr. Rogerson.

 

Read Scott's complete story by clicking here

 

Scott Tinley story with photos of his hip resurfacing wtih Dr. Rogerson

 

..on a cold and windy december morning, i was thinking the following on the way home from my first race back on the bike:

1) BHR Dr Bose: 4/12/07 2) Return home from resurfacing in india, walked 3 blocks: 5/02/07 3) First Win: western states time trial: 12/02/07:

...bless you pat, the website, and all the others who have inspired me-came before me...

...my life, AND my athletic life are back ! ...no, i'm not just jogging, i'm dropping some sub 6 minute mile running repeats on the track, and winning again on the bike, my first race back in the saddle ! (picture attached)

...to all of those who need to know, who wonder, who are putting it off, who are in pain, who need hope... the birmingham hip and dr bose in chennai india are awesome !

...i couldn't have done this without faith, without athlete cory foulk before me, pat and the website, and dr bose's staff...

...now: ..you can do it too !

...i'll keep you posted about me earning my team usa spot back.

...believe !

gary kobat

Read More of Gary's Story Gary Kobat Athlete and Trainer - hip resurfacing story with Dr. Bose of India 2007

Kaibree, my teenaged daughter just passed her 1 year anniversary on the left hip, Nov.24 and is coming up to 1 year on the right on Dec.8.

Kaibree continues to be pain free, she just finished her volleyball season at school! She was on the high school team and she has now moved on to swimming with the swim team. She walks perfectly now, has no limp whatsoever and leads a normal life again. This is a far cry from last year when she was unable to walk more than a few steps and required a wheelchair in order to be mobile! Kaibree has taken and assed her driver learners license test and she also is now 15 years old! She is a happy teenager and we are so grateful that she was able to receive resurfacing from a skilled physician. We are hopeful that her case will help other children with serious hip conditions and people with Protrusio Acetabuli know that they can return to a painfree and active life.

Rt BHR Nov.24/06
Lt BHR Dec 8/06
Dr. Jim Powell, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Read More About Kaibree's Story

Lefty - 73 years young

I'm doing well nine days after my left hip was resurfaced by Dr. Mont at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore.

The first three days after surgery were somewhat discouraging, but on the fourth day I started using crutches, which I find to be MUCH preferable to a walker. I'm 73, had no one to accompany me to Baltimore from upstate New York, and live alone, so I decided to spend some time in rehab here before heading home.

I finished Ironman 6 months after getting my BHR

 

At 32 I got the crushing news that my left hip had advanced AVN. I had wrestled from the age of 13 until I was 28 including coaching a high school team. I moved to triathlon to find something new, did several Half Iron distances as well as Ironman Arizona in April 2006 with hip pain. After my last Ironman I ran a stand alone 1:50 half marathon with severe pain and with in two months was not able to finish a 5K A month later I was told I had AVN, a very sad day.

I had heard about Floyd Landis and his hip and checked out the Birmingham Hip Resurface based on his website. I selected my Dr based on location and the Smith Nephew website. I selected Dr. Jay Mabry, chief of orthopedics at Baylor University Medical Center.

News from Trad Spencer Oct. 19, 2007
Just wanted you to know my surgery was a complete success. I am  already up and walking on crutches.  We've met with Pat Dukes and her husband.  They were extremely helpful.  Dr. Gross is a wonderful man and his staff superb. So glad he did the surgery.  Our rooms at the hotel were excellent. Today is Friday and we leave on Sunday for home.  A big hug and thank you to you and DAST. 

Sincerely,  Spencer and family
Read more about DAST International and Trad Spencer by clicking here DAST International Doing a Service to Help Others One Hip at a Time. A non-profit organization