Hip Resurfacing News - Doctors

Hip-Hip-Hooray! Exciting New Hip and Knee Resurfacing Surgery Comes to

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:01:34 -0700

8/18/08

Like most people, you probably want to keep your body parts for as long as possible. Innovative hip and knee surgery at San Joaquin Community Hospital (SJCH) can help you do just that. It's called resurfacing, and it's life-changing.

Bakersfield, CA (eMediaWorld) August 18, 2008 -- Like most people, you probably want to keep your body parts for as long as possible. After all, God gave them to you for a reason. Innovative hip and knee surgery at San Joaquin Community Hospital (SJCH) can help you do just that. It's called resurfacing, and it's life-changing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 383,500 hip replacements and 550,800 knee replacements in the United States in 2005, and the numbers are rising. You don't have to be one of them.

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

Gary Shepard, a 56-year-old from Bakersfield, has been athletic most of his life. It took its toll. He's been in pain for countless years, limping and walking at a 45 degree slant. He couldn't even cross his legs, so in 2007 he had Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR™).

"The change is dramatic. It feels like my own hips. I walk straight, I've grown two inches, and even my knees don't swell anymore. People can't believe it when they see me---I feel fantastic," says Shepard.

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that unites two separate bones---femur (thighbone) and pelvis. The femoral head is a ball that fits into the pelvis socket. In the standard total hip replacement (THR), ball and socket are completely removed and replaced. The femoral shaft (thighbone's long part) is hollowed out and a spike, which holds the ball, is pressed into the bone. The spike can loosen and cause bone wear.

It's completely different with resurfacing. The femoral shaft is never disturbed---there is no spike. A minimal amount of the ball is shaved and then fitted snuggly with a smooth metal cap. The socket is shaped to fit a polished metal cup that the bone naturally takes on as its own.

Resurfacing preserves bone, improves range of motion, and gives you freedom to have a highly active, normal life. And that's a great thing.

Resurfacing was available years ago; it didn't last long. Technology and metal implants were far less sophisticated than today. Patients can now expect superior results with new medically-advanced implants.

In 2007, BHR™ celebrated its 10th anniversary. It has been used in 26 countries with a worldwide success rate of 97.2 percent. The FDA approved its use in the United States in 2006.

"With BHR™, I remove a lot less bone than in hip replacement. Oftentimes it's only 10 percent of the femoral head," says Tom Ferro, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon. "Patients experience less pain and report that it feels like their own hip. Resurfacing patients appear to feel normal very quickly, frequently by the second day after surgery.

"Another huge advantage to preserving bone is that you have more to work with later if your hips are injured."

It's just a fact of life: once bone is removed, you can't put it back.

Ferro, the leader in BHR™, is one of approximately 50 surgeons nationwide who perform this procedure. It requires considerable expertise in resurfacing. Although his clinic, the Bone & Joint Center, is located in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo, Ferro also performs BHR™ in Bakersfield but only at SJCH.

"The hospital is extremely receptive to state-of-the-art procedures, and they have the patient's best interests at heart. It's important that patients have the finest technology used by the best people and in a highly efficient system---that's San Joaquin," says Ferro.

This procedure is recommended for active people under 66 years of age with good bone quality. There are some exceptions. Always talk to a physician to identify your best options.

"After seeing the huge change in me, friends and relatives are considering this for themselves. My wife spent a lot of time researching BHR™. I highly recommend it, and you can't do much better than Dr. Ferro," says Shepard.

Hip Resurfacing in India: WorldMed Assist Makes Surgery Abroad Possible for Californian

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:52:41 -0700

By Wouter Hoeberechts
8/18/2008

Experts in medical tourism, WorldMed Assist's mission is to improve lives by helping patients receive high quality medical treatment abroad at affordable prices.

Pioneertown, CA, Aug 18, 2008 - Steve Berg returned from a 15-day trip for hip resurfacing in India, a trip that only four months earlier he'd never imagined. He also never thought he'd be joining the fast growing ranks of medical tourists traveling overseas from North America for surgery they can't afford at home.

Last October, Steve Berg went to his chiropractor for an alignment to alleviate hip pain that caused him to pop up to 16 ibuprofens a day. But x-rays soon confirmed the chiropractor's initial suspicion: severe arthritis, not a chiropractic adjustment, would require surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon. He was then hit with further bad news: hip replacement anywhere near home would cost about $60,000 because he was among the 47 million uninsured Americans forced to gamble that they'll never need serious medical attention.

He didn't have $60,000.

He hit the internet, and learned about an alternative to hip replacement - called hip resurfacing - that would provide him higher range of motion, shorter recovery time and the chance for future hip surgery should the arthritis cause further joint deterioration.
Berg, whose career restoring vintage motorcycles requires lots of mobility, chose Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (http://www.worldmedassist.com/Hip_Resurfacing_Surgery_India.html), but soon learned it's impossible to find an experienced doctor in the U.S. because it's a procedure only recently (2006) approved by the FDA. Berg found that several countries overseas had been resurfacing hips for a lot longer than in the U.S.

"There's a steep learning curve with this procedure, and I didn't want anyone in the U.S. practicing on me. When you look at our hospitals, you see a very high percentage of doctors from India, so I decided to go to the source!" Berg chuckled.

"First, I tried to arrange surgery in India myself, but I got so tangled up with all the options and paperwork, that I almost gave up," Berg recalled. "Finally, I landed on http://www.WorldMedAssist.com and was impressed with their information about hip resurfacing. I e-mailed them, and they immediately called me back to talk about details. I told them, "You're hired! Line up my options for India, and let's push this through as fast as we can."

With options in hand, Berg chose Wockhardt in Mumbai because their surgeon, Dr. Malhan, had done a large number of hip surgeries and is UK board certified. WorldMed Assist forwarded all Berg's records to Dr. Malhan, who then assured Berg he was a good candidate for hip resurfacing.

"WorldMed Assist quoted me a total cost of just over $10,000, including hip surgery, hotel, a two-week hospital stay and all my travel - about 1/6th the price I faced in the U.S. That price even included dental work I'd been putting off for 7 years. My decision was clear, and three weeks from the time I first contacted WorldMed Assist, I was on a plane."

While recovering from surgery in a private hospital suite complete with a refrigerator, visitor's couch, computer, cable TV and his own deluxe bathroom, Berg met several other medical travelers. About a third had made their own arrangements, as Berg had attempted to do; several others had used global healthcare facilitators like WorldMed Assist.

"But no one had as clean an experience as I did," he said. "The biggest deal is having handlers at home who line up people to lead you through the entire overseas process. I told these other patients about WorldMed Assist's service - how they expedited my visa, ensured I was met at the airport and driven directly to my hotel, and above all, how they stayed in touch with me from our very first contact throughout the entire ordeal. Those patients were all pretty amazed at the level of service compared with their own experience. WorldMed Assist handled all those loose ends I turned out to be incapable of pulling together on my own."

"Now, I'm home, and already back to work. The pain in my hip was gone a week after surgery. Before surgery, I could only stand for one hour and then I needed to lie down on a hot pad for two hours…that makes for pretty slow progress restoring these motorcycles."

About WorldMed Assist
Experts in medical tourism, WorldMed Assist's mission is to improve lives by helping patients receive high quality medical treatment abroad at affordable prices. WorldMed Assist coordinates and simplifies every aspect of care and travel. WorldMed Assist also provides medical tourism as an option for self-insured businesses seeking expanded and affordable healthcare options for employees. Hip Resurfacing in India and Belgium is significantly less expensive than in the U.S., yet delivered with the same or higher quality care and results as set by U.S. standards. Waiting times are virtually eliminated, track records are proven, and facilities are state-of-the-art. For more information, go to http:/www.worldmedassist.com
Press Release Distribution By PressReleasePoint(http://www.pressreleasepoint.com)

Contact:

Wouter Hoeberechts
WorldMed Assist
Pioneertown, CA
866-999-3848 X710
whoeber@worldmedassist.com
http://www.worldmedassist.com

Dr. Bose Transcript of Chat on Aug. 16, 2008

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:10:48 -0700

Click here to view a Transcript of the Surface Hippy Chat with Dr. Bose on Aug. 16, 2008

New Hip Surgery Designed For Younger Patients - Dr. Kelly

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:42:36 -0700

Link http://cbs4denver.com/local/Colorado.News.Denver.2.556499.html

By Kathy Walsh
Feb 15, 2007

DENVER (CBS4) ― Doctors at Presbyterian Saint Luke's Hospital have started offering a new type of hip surgery aimed to help baby boomers who are having pain in their hips earlier than normal. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last May.

The new surgery is an alternative to total hip replacement and aimed at people under the age of 60.

"It is something that patients have actually been waiting to have done," said Dr. Cindy Kelly at Presbyterian Saint Luke's.

One operation CBS4 witnessed took 2 hours as Kelly prepares the hip socket, then hammered a new metal one into place. Kelly shaved the damaged bone on the hip ball, preserving it rather than removing it. She then glued and pounded in a new metal cover.

"Patients have full motion, really without the risk of dislocation," said Kelly.

The new procedure allows for more activity. Patients could be up and moving in 6 weeks, but need to wait a year before running.

One benefit is that if a patient needs another hip replacement, the thigh bone is largely intact.

The new resurfacing procedure may not be for everyone. Patients should always consult their own doctor.

Hip Resurfacing Doctor observes 30 years practicing in Galesburg - Myron Stachniw orthopedic surgeon

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:41:10 -0700

Link Read Complete Story by Clicking Here

By JOHN R. PULLIAM GateHouse News Service

Aug 08, 2008 GALESBURG — Dr. Myron Stachniw is celebrating his 30th year practicing in Galesburg.

Stachniw had his first office hours here on July 5, 1978. He earned his bachelor’s degree from what was then the University of Illinois Chicago Circle in 1969, then graduated from medical school in Wisconsin in 1973. Stachniw did a surgical internship and a four-year orthopedic residency at the University of Illinois Hospitals, completing that in 1978, the same year he obtained his master’s degree.

Stachniw, a native of Racine, Wis., who attended high school in Chicago, admitted he had never heard of Galesburg before being asked by the Elks Club to do a Crippled Children’s clinic here.
The Elks had an agreement with the University of Illinois to send residents to various cities to conduct the clinics.

"I came here for the first time as a second-year resident and loved Galesburg so much that I kept on asking to do the clinics," Stachniw said. "I kept returning and, eventually, Cottage Hospital made me an offer to set me up in practice and I jumped at that chance."

His practice is now known at Midwest Orthopedic Services and is located in Cottage Medical Plaza, 834 N. Seminary St., Suite 406.

Stachniw feels Galesburg is the ideal size.

"Galesburg is a wonderful place to live and to practice," he said. "I can do as sophisticated medicine and surgery as I like, but yet enjoy the small town atmosphere."

Stachniw said he has had offers over the years to join orthopedic groups in larger cities but has not been tempted.

"I plan to retire here," he said. "I would like to practice full time for another five years and then do part time, as long as I am healthy. I plan to retire in Galesburg but hope to travel."

Working in a smaller city has not limited his opportunities over the years. He said he developed an interest in joint replacements and has been able to take part in several clinical trials. He has helped design instruments and components for joint replacements.

"I was invited to be a clinical investigator for the hip resurfacing study and was one of 18 surgeons in North America" who first did the procedure.

Hip resurfacing is sometimes used as an alternative to hip replacement. It is a type of orthopaedic surgery that replaces a damaged or arthritic joint with something better or by remodeling or realigning the joint.

"I have had patients come to Galesburg from almost every state in the union, as well as Trinidad, West Indies, for hip surgery. I have also taught hip surgery in Chicago, Las Vegas and Memphis," he said.

Stachniw has continued teaching, helping other surgeons learn hip resurfacing procedures.
"Along with my wife, Reva, who is a nurse, I have conducted studies for the past 18 years for pharmaceutical companies, doing clinical trials on various medications associated with orthopedics. These are studies done for the FDA," Stachniw said.

Shortly after beginning his practice here, Stachniw had another opportunity, one he probably would not have minded missing. A traffic accident offered him the chance to show he truly believed in the quality of medical care here.

"When I was involved in a severe automobile accident in Chicago in 1980, I wanted nothing more than to return to Galesburg to get good health care," he said.

Stachniw has had an office party and a party with his family to mark his three decades of practicing medicine in Galesburg. He has never looked back.

"I have always felt that Galesburg has provided an exceptionally high quality of health care and that has continued to be the case," Stachniw said.

Doctor observes 30 years practicing in Galesburg - Myron Stachniw orthopedic surgeon

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:41:10 -0700

Link Read Complete Story by Clicking HereBy JOHN R. PULLIAM GateHouse News Service

Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing Growing More Popular

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:00:21 -0700

Link - Click here to see full article

Aug. 8, 2008

Since its introduction a decade ago, metal-on-metal hip resurfacing has become increasingly popular because it may conserve femoral bone, increase functional ability and be easier to revise than other procedures, according to an article published in the August issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Michael A. Mont, M.D., of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, and a colleague reviewed clinical results - primarily from studies conducted in England, Australia and Western Europe -- and highlighted 10 important lessons learned during the past 10 years.

The researchers found that metal-on-metal hip resurfacing now accounts for about 10 percent of total hip arthroplasties. Among the lessons they highlight is that patient selection is the key to success. They cite Australian data on more than 10,000 patients showing that metal-on-metal hip resurfacing is associated with similar or improved survivorship compared to standard total hip arthroplasty in men under age 65 but not in men over age 65, and that metal-on-metal hip resurfacing is associated with a higher risk of short-term failure in men over age 65 and in all women.

"In the Australian registry, hips that underwent resurfacing as treatment for osteoarthritis have had better survival than those that underwent resurfacing for the treatment of developmental dysplasia, inflammatory arthritis and osteonecrosis," the authors write. "In summary, resurfacing hip arthroplasty has had a tremendous increase in popularity because of the potential benefits of femoral bone conservation, possible increased functional ability, and ease of potential revision procedures. In young men, the survivorship has been similar to that of standard total hip arthroplasty."

Although none of the authors received outside funding or grants in support of their research, one or more of them reported that they or their family members received grants or payments from Wright Medical and DePuy during the past year.

Rebuilding Your Body

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:04:53 -0700

Link http://www.newsweek.com/id/46170

July 2006

At 42, Sally Seeley was barely able to walk. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her late 20s, she tried a range of treatments from water aerobics to Vioxx. But her condition only got worse. Finally, an orthopedic surgeon recommended total hip replacement. She worried that she was too young for such surgery, but she just couldn't stand the discomfort any longer. "The pain was gone immediately," says Seeley, now 49. Three months ago, she had her right hip done; she's already back at work.

Joint replacement was once considered a last resort for elderly patients who were immobilized. Now, thanks to improved artificial joints made from longer-lasting materials like titanium, patients in their 50s and younger are signing up in growing numbers. More than 600,000 hip and knee replacements were performed in the United States last year. While the average patient was well over 60 years old, the number of people younger than 65 getting the surgery has grown by 20 percent over the past five years. "Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, the threshold was the ability to walk or do errands," says Dr. Edwin Su, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. "Now it's continuing to ski, golf or windsurf."

Doctors compare joint replacement to replacing tires on a car that's out of alignment. Over the decades, your weight can wear down your bones. This is especially true for patients with arthritis, where inflammation destroys the cartilage surrounding the joint, causing the bones to grind together painfully. In knee replacements, the most common joint-replacement procedure, doctors cut into the joint and remove the damaged portions of the tibia (the lower leg bone), patella (kneecap) and femur (thigh bone). They are replaced with metal and plastic components. The surgery lasts at least two hours and requires general anesthesia. Artificial knees generally last from 10 to 15 years. Hips are the second most commonly replaced joints, followed by shoulders...

Transcript of Dr. Mont Live Chat July 16, 2008

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:18:02 -0700

Read the transcript of the questions and answers from the Dr. Mont Chat on July 16

Dr. Bose Honored by Overseas Hip Resurfacing Patients

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:36:29 -0700

I am honored that some of my overseas patients have got together and made a plaque in appreciation of our hip surgery team and a donation for the Jay Coulter fund.

Gary Klein has come back to Chennai to get his second hip done. He brought the plaque and the donation.

I have attached a picture of the plaque.

With best regards

Vijay bose
chennai
Asian Regional Center for Hip Resurfacing (ARCH) Website