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Monday, March 31. 2008
Link
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3641322.ece
Baby boomers are competing for hip operations
with older people, and the pain and strain will
be felt by the health service
Martin Richards has been sports-mad all his
life, playing five-a-side football, tennis,
squash and badminton. At 50 he tried taking up
waterskiing but found that he couldn't crouch
down to pick up the tow handle; if he fell he
had difficulty getting up again. “I would lie
there like a beached whale,” he says.
He thought he probably had a groin injury,
but pain and difficulty moving got worse, he put
on weight and eventually X-rays showed advanced
osteoarthritis. “Your hips are shot,” a
consultant told him. “I went away, lost 2st
(12.7kg), then came back for the operation. A
year later I had the other hip done.”
Richards was soon back playing all his
favourite sports, fishing and camping. At 57,
five years after surgery, he says that he feels
fantastic: “It was a total life change. I feel
very lucky.”
Richards underwent a procedure called hip
resurfacing, invented ten years ago in
Birmingham by the orthopaedic surgeon Derek
McMinn and named the Birmingham Hip, though
there are now many imitations. Instead of
removing the head of the thigh bone and
replacing it with an artificial ball (hip
replacement) a hollow metal cap is fitted over
the head of the thigh bone, which corresponds
with a metal casing inside the hip socket. The
procedure is now recommended by the National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE) for younger and more active patients
though not all orthopaedic surgeons agree about
its role. “Some see it as a holding operation,”
says Jane Tadman, of the Arthritis Research
Campaign, “postponing the day when a traditional
hip replacement will be needed. Others claim it
is a perfectly good - and less invasive -
procedure in its own right.”
Because resurfacing is a relatively new
technique, there is little data on outcomes,
though early reports suggest a success rate of
more than 95 per cent at five years after
surgery. In one trial, hip resurfacing performed
better in young active patients than total hip
replacement. But the materials used were
different - metal on metal for the resurfacings,
metal on polyethylene for the replacements - and
it may be that if the more expensive metal or
ceramic bearings were used, the replacement
would perform better.
“Hip resurfacing has been well marketed,”
says Tom Pollard, an orthopaedic specialist
registrar. “But it is not yet certain that it is
superior to total hip replacement using
comparable materials in the longer term.”
Martin Richards was told that his new hips
should last about ten years, though he admits he
probably does too much. “They may wear out
before then.” He says that it's important to be
a good weight before and after surgery, and you
have to work hard to regain fitness: “I couldn't
have done it without the support of
physiotherapists at my local hospital. If I can
get to 60 with these hips, swimming, playing
tennis and squash, I'll have had a good run.”
Richards may need total hip replacement if
his resurfacing fails, but one advantage of
resurfacing is that this is usually a
straightforward procedure compared with revision
of a primary total-hip replacement.
Helen Cotterell was only 42 when she began to
feel pain in her knee that increased in
intensity over the next six years and
osteoarthritis was diagnosed in her right hip.
“My GP told me: ‘Oh you're miles off a
replacement'.” A friend recommended her to see a
consultant privately who gave her a year before
she would need surgery. “When I went back, I'd
worn another quarter of an inch off the bone.”
Resurfacing was recommended because she was so
young: “He said it could stand one or possibly
even two revisions before I would need a full
replacement; he reckoned he could get me through
into my nineties.” Even so, Cotterell was
uncertain: “Do I really need this op?” she
asked. “You tell me,” said her consultant. “I
thought, yes, I want to climb mountains with my
kids, who were only 10 and 13 at the time, I
want to keep up Scottish reeling, I don't want
to limp down Oxford Street and sit in agony like
an old woman in Topshop while my daughter tries
on clothes.”
After a second operation on her other hip,
Cotterell went to a remedial masseuse: “She
taught me how to walk properly - swinging each
foot forward like a catwalk model rather than
waddling, which I'd got used to when the hips
hurt.” She has no idea why the disease struck
her so young: “My grandfather had a hip
replacement at 70 but he was crippled by then.
They were more stoic, that generation, weren't
they?”
Tuesday, March 25. 2008
Permalink
Here's a nice story, if it happens: Lightning coach John Tortorella has given
captain Tim Taylor the option of playing in
the team's final game of the season April 5
at Atlanta. It would be a way for the center
to finish his 13-year career as a player
instead of on the sideline, where he has
been since Sept. 7 hip surgery. "He deserves that type of respect,''
Tortorella said. "He's been a loyal guy to
the organization and has done a lot of
things on and off the ice people don't even
know about, so he deserves that right.'' The surgery is called hip resurfacing and
corrected his painful, right-hip dysplasia
by shaving and smoothing the head of the
femur, topping it with a chrome alloy cap
and fitting it into the hip socket that also
was coated. Taylor, 39, said he is "ecstatic'' at the
results. He has skated since mid February
but has practiced fewer than 10 times.
Saturday, March 22. 2008
Dave Grigg Ten Year Anniversary
L C+ 3/24/1998 R C+ 2/12/2004 Dr. Amstutz
I'm saying hello on the eve of my ten year anniversary. In early 1998 there were fewer than 40 resurfacings in the
U.S. and of course no surfacehippy group or knowledge base. My thanks to Keith and all you posters.
My story
A former runner, I had been crippled with OA for a decade and needed crutches just to stand more than 2
minutes. Dr. Amstutz said he'd only seen one or two more diseased hips in his career. I
placed a lot of trust in him and it sure paid off. I was riding the life cycle 5 days post-op and skydiving 7 weeks
post-op (not doctor approved). My other hip was resurfaced by the good doctor early in 2004.
I moved to the Palm Springs area 19 months ago and took up competitive tennis, both singles and doubles and
have won a couple of local tournaments.
Other than airport security delays, I couldn't be happier.
Dave C+, Dr. Amstutz, L 3/24/1998, R 2/12/2004
Tuesday, February 19. 2008
February 16, 2008
This was taken the other day skiing at Durango Mountain
Resort...We had gotten over 22" inches of snow. The skiing this year has
been nothing short of "epic." I am able to ski all the runs I used to ski
before my hip began to really hurt about 6 years ago. I had my hip
resurfaced by Dr. Gross on 9/6/06. I waited the full year before skiing
again. It was my decision to do that. I now ski at least 3 times a week and
everything feels as normal as before my hip ever started hurting. I just
don't pound the bumps anymore. Not because of the hip, but because after 30
years of skiing I want to save my knees! Life is good with the new hip...Thanx
for creating this site Pat.....
Shelly Perlmutter
Continue reading "Shelly Perlmutter Hip Resurfacing Story with Dr. Gross"
Monday, January 28. 2008
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.
Friday, January 4. 2008
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
Monday, December 17. 2007
READ COMPLETE ARTICLE
Florian-D. Naal, MD*, Nicola A. Maffiuletti, PhD, Urs Munzinger, MD and Otmar Hersche, MD
From the Joint Center, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
Background: No information is available concerning patients’ sports activity after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.
Hypothesis: Patients treated by hip resurfacing arthroplasty will be able to achieve a high level of sports activity.
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods: We surveyed 112 patients by postal questionnaire to determine their sporting activities at a mean of 23.5 (range, 9–40) months after hip resurfacing surgery. Data were also analyzed separately for older and younger patients and women and men, respectively.
Results: Of 112 patients, 110 participated in an average of 4.6 sport disciplines after surgery, compared with 105 patients pre-operatively engaged in an average of 4.8 disciplines. About 26% performed sports 4 times per week or more—almost 60% for longer than 60 min at each session. A high proportion of our patients were still engaged in downhill skiing (51%) and in high-impact disciplines such as tennis (12%) or contact sports (22%). More than 50% of the patients commenced sports within the first 3 months after surgery. During activities, 70% were completely pain-free. The group of older patients (mean age, 60.2 years) participated in more different disciplines with a higher weekly frequency and longer session length than younger patients (mean age, 46.4 years).
Conclusion: The present study reports for the first time on the detailed sports activity and activity extent after hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Our patients could return to a high level of sports participation after surgery. Age-related differences were found that have not yet been published. Nevertheless, further follow-up is necessary to assess the influence of high-level activity on loosening and revision rates after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.
Thursday, December 13. 2007
..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 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
Wednesday, November 21. 2007
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.
Continue reading "Michael Montgomery Ironman at 6 Months Post Op"
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