Hip Resurfacing News

ASR Recall by DePuy 2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:24:25 -0700

DePuy has announced that it is voluntarily recalling the ASR™ XL Acetabular Head System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. DePuy is providing the information below to help visitors with questions and concerns. Visitors are also invited to visit the DePuy website at www.depuy.com.

DePuy makes patient safety and health a top priority and is continually evaluating data about its products. Most ASR hip replacement surgeries have been successful. However, data recently received by the company shows that more people than expected who received the ASR hip experienced pain and other symptoms that lead to a second hip replacement surgery, called a revision surgery.
For this reason, DePuy Orthopaedics is recalling its ASR™ XL Acetabular Head System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. This recall means additional testing and monitoring may be necessary in hip replacement patients. In some cases, patients may need additional surgery.
DePuy is working closely with health care professionals worldwide to contact patients with ASR hip implants. Most people with ASR Hip System implants do not experience problems, but it is important that patients with ASR Hip System implants be evaluated with by a surgeon. Patients with problems reported different symptoms with their ASR hip implant, including pain, swelling, and problems walking.

DePuy intends to cover reasonable and customary costs of monitoring and treatment for services, including revision surgeries, associated with the recall of ASR.

Click here for the press release

Click here for the patient information page on our web site

Click here for an image of the ASR Hip System

Medical Release Form:

Patients with an ASR Hip are asked to complete the form and bring it with them to the appointment to give their surgeons permission to share information directly with DePuy.

Click here for the recall notice

This notice was shared with hospitals and surgeons regarding the ASR recall.

Daniel Fox Bilateral Hip Resurfacing Dr. Barrack 2009/2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:43:05 -0700

The first time I noticed any hip pain was in 2004 when I was jogging and had a very sharp pain in my left groin area which only occurred when my left knee was raised to its highest point which didn’t occur on every run and typically when running hard uphill. The pain subsided and would only reoccur periodically during subsequent runs (I would run about 2-3 times per week) so I put off seeing an orthopedic specialist. About 6 months later while on a long walk with my family I experienced a new pain in my left groin area – very different from my running pain. This was more like a dull ache and honestly didn’t necessarily relate the two symptoms. About 6 months later I began to notice a clicking in my hip when I would move my left leg laterally (typically while shifting my position in bed).

At this point I set my first appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. After looking at an x-ray, he referred me to a specialist in St. Louis, Dr. John Clohisy (Wash U Physicians at BJC). Dr. Clohisy specializes in preserving hips in younger active patients. I was diagnosed with torn cartilage and bone spurs that had developed in my hip due to a natural occurring impingement due to the shape of my femoral head. His goal was to trim the cartilage, remove bone spurs and finally debride (shave down) a portion of the femoral head so as to diminish or eliminate the impingement and provide more life to my hip until which time I would need a hip replacement. I awoke post Op to a nurse who informed me that the doctor was unable to complete the surgery due to certain conditions but that I would be non-weight bearing for 8 weeks and would be going home that evening. Needless to say I was very surprised and disappointed but during surgery Dr. Clohisy noticed that I had very little cartilage and knew that I would require a replacement shortly and rather than doing the debridement, elected to drill some micro size holes in the surface of my femoral head which was intended to create scar tissue which would act like cartilage and hopefully lengthen the life of my joint until which time I would need the replacement. After the initial non-weight bearing period I was happy with the results because I was able to move my left leg laterally with little pain, though I still had limited motion. At this point I had heard about resurfacing but at the time it was not approved in the US. Doctor Clohisy told me that his associate, Dr. Barrack was training to perform the surgery when it would be approved by the FDA later that year. Eventually (mid 2006) I had my first appointment with Dr. Barrack who though I would make an excellent candidate for resurfacing and scheduled the surgery for later that year. About two months later, however, I had second thoughts and cancelled the surgery having heard that one should wait until the pain becomes almost unbearable. My hip pain was not typical in that it didn’t hurt all the time but primarily related to the motion of my hip. I could not go up or down a ladder, climb over a short fence, get down on my knees, etc, without exceptional pain. However, I could walk miles without much pain – I was a golfer and could walk and carry a bag 18 holes without much pain. Reaching down to get a ball out of the cup was another issue – practically impossible.

During the summer of 2008, I had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Berry at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN who had recently completed a total hip replacement for a relative. I wanted a second opinion regarding my situation and whether a replacement or resurfacing was the best solution for me. He asked me how often I woke up in the morning and told myself I needed a new hip. At that point, it was only 2-3 days a week since I could walk normally with little pain. He also told me that both a replacement and resurfacing would a good solution and it was really up to me to make that decision which I really appreciated. By Spring 2009 I had practically no motion in my left hip and constant pain and decided it was time for the resurfacing. I scheduled the surgery with Barrack for September 15, 2009. Surgery went very well and I was on cane by the first days of week three though I had quite a bit of thigh pain which subsided at about week four The Dr. Barrack mentioned that the fit was “tight” but that all went well and the placement and angles went as he had hoped. By week five I felt well enough to walk (with cane) in a 5K charity walk with my wife. I was off the cane after 6 weeks and played my first round of golf week 8. I agreed to participate in a study that tracks the metal ions in my blood.

During the final weeks just prior to my first resurfacing surgery I noticed much more pain in my right hip which was most likely to me favoring it over the bad hip while having a very active summer on the golf course. I had hoped that it would get better once the left hip was healed but later in the year admitted that it needed to be replaced as well and scheduled that surgery for Feb 9, 2010. I have read of others that put off the second hip but frankly for me there was no benefit to doing the first if the condition of the remaining hip prevented me from doing all the things that I wanted to do. That surgery was equally successful, or more so in that I was able to transfer to a cane by end of week one and Dr. Barrack mentioned that the surgery went even smoother than the first – not sure what exactly that means but I presume more room to work and get the placement perfect. For the first time in about 5 years I have virtually no pain in my hips and can stand for hours with no pain. I think the biggest challenge in front of me is not so much the strengthening but getting back my flexibility that I haven’t had for 6+ years due to the impingement in my hips.

I hope this information is helpful and would highly recommend Dr. Barrack for those considering a hip resurfacing.

Sandy Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Engh 2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:41:46 -0700

On April 1st my left hip received the BHR from Dr. Andy Engh in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Engh had mentioned your website as a source of information for me during my Pre-Op visit. I have enjoyed reading about the experiences of others and it has helped me to understand the challenges associated with Hip Resurfacing options. Now two weeks into Post-Op I am feeling better each day. The swelling in my left leg is reduced, the bruise on my left leg has almost disappreared and I am now on one crutch. I stopped the vicodin after one week and I am pleased with Tylenol. My discomfort is minimal and I am able to sleep through the night. Formal PT ends soon and I am looking forward to the four week mark when I can use a recumbent bike and return to work full time.

Before the surgery I was once a 7 handicap in golf, I enjoyed cycling, running, playing squash, and traveling. When I began to feel the affects of the osteoarthritis, I began taking ibuprofin frequently. Eventually the pain would not subside and I had to give up most of my activities. I went to see a surgeon about a THR and he said my days of running were over and I would need to take meds until I turned 60 and then he would do the THR operation. That was more than 10 years away! By my 50th birthday last fall my lower back and right knee were in great pain from carrying my weight and compensating for the osteoarthritis in my left hip. And as a Regional Marketing Representative for an insurance company my work on the road with heavy travel became difficult.

In January 2010 my primary physician recommended an Endoscopy when I was having a preventative colonoscopy done. The results of the Endoscopy showed that the pain meds where eating away my esophagus. He recommended I stop the meds and referred me to Dr. Engh for a consult on my osteoarthritis. What a great relief this journey has been. His staff has taken great care of me along the way and Dr. Engh took the time to answer my many questions. On the day of the surgery I went in with great confidence and had little fear. I had even done the Virtual Hip Resurfacing surgery on www.edheads.org to be prepared! Today just 14 days afterwards after the BHR I have no chronic pain in my hip. The pain from surgery is not too bad and the scar on my hip is healing quickly. But most important now is that I continue to take it easy and heal. But I truly can't wait for my renewed life ahead this summer when I can ride a bike, swing a golf club and feel good again!

Sandy

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June 17, 2010

It has now been almost 3 months since my left hip was resurfaced by Dr. Andy Engh. I have no pain from the surgery. In fact I do not take any pain medicines at all, which is not bad for a 50 year old! For the past month I have been able to use my recumbent bike, eliptical machine and moderate weight lifting a couple of times each week. When I feel any pain in the muscles of my left leg I stop and rest.

When I take a flight of stairs I think about how much stronger my left hip and leg feels than the days when I would dread this activity. And it is amazing to me that I can once again cross my leg to put on a sock! During work I am able to walk normally without a limp and I no longer feel the sharp pain when I get out of the car after a long drive of an hour or more. My air travel has been slightly delayed by the "frisking" procedure I must endure briefly after passing thru the metal detector at the airport. But I cooperate and tell the TSA agent that I am used to this with my hip replacement (it makes them go faster!). Next month I plan to return to cycling on the paved paths near my home in Northern Virginia. I will start low and try to build up my mileage. I am also beginning to swing a golf club (chipping and low irons) to stretch my muscles. I can't wait until I can play again. But I want to make sure that it is safe to do these activities so I will again take it easy.

One of the major reasons I considered hip resurfacing was to avoid the reactions my body had to the strong NSAID medicines I took for the chronic pain. I took them until I had an endoscopy in January 2010 and the doctor said my esophagus was one of the worst he had seen because it was full of ulcers. he recommended that I stop taking the medicines immediately. On June 10th I had the procedure performed again and the results were excellent. As the doctor told me, "You are completely healed. Keep doing what you are doing!". I encourage any one taking strong pain medicines to ask their physician if an endoscopy should be done. It could have been much worse for me if I did not evaluate my hip surgery options until later.

Overall I am very pleased with my recovery thus far and Dr. Engh's staff continues to check-in with me to see how I am doing. No worries here!

Sandy

Mike Carrol Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Schmalzried 2004

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:39:02 -0700

Navy Chief Petty Officer Mike Carrol deployed to Iraq in 2007 and remains on active duty today, at 53, to train fellow reservists.

Mike Carroll couldn't touch his knees together. Couldn't play basketball with his children. Couldn't walk other than taking "a big limp," he said.

The former Navy SEAL wasn't going to let those limitations drown his dream of returning to the special-warfare compound in Coronado to help in the war effort.

At age 49 in 2006, Carroll wasn't the oldest SEAL to re-enlist after an absence. But he was certainly not the usual face in the recruiter's office.

Adding to the odds against him, he was packing two artificial hips.

Even with that weighing down his résumé, the Alpine resident deployed to Iraq in 2007 with his special-warfare team and remains on active duty today as a trainer of fellow reservists.

It was a long shot, Carroll is the first to acknowledge.

"If the dream's big enough, there's nothing that you can't overcome, especially with technology," said Carroll, now 53.

Being a SEAL, the Navy's elite sea-air-land combat force, is usually a young man's game.

The age ceiling for entry is 28. Highly sought-after candidates can get an age waiver up to 30. An enlisted SEAL looking to become an officer may receive a pass up to 33.

Carroll remembers seeing a Navy doctor a few weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Angered by the terrorist action, he wanted to get back on a SEAL team and use his 16 years of military experience.

Carroll, who ran a computer-based business after leaving the Navy, kept in shape over the years. He was roughly 6 feet and 183 pounds.

He told the physician that his joints felt fine. Then the doctor asked him to perform a few side lunges and knee bends.

"I couldn't do it," Carroll remembered. "The doctor said, ‘We can't take you Mike, you'd be a liability.' "

So Carroll basically gave up. Surgeons said he was too young for a hip replacement, which is usually reserved for older people because of the chance that the artificial parts will break down over time.

Carroll, a former senior chief petty officer, felt deflated. He had wanted to serve as an example of patriotism to his young sons. They knew he had been a SEAL but had never seen him go to work in combat boots.

Then one day a buddy called to point out an article about a new hip procedure. Carroll bought the magazine immediately.

By March 2004, he was on an operating table in Los Angeles. The treatment replaces only the outer part of the hip joint with metal. It can be a place holder for a future total hip replacement or, if it works, a permanent fix.

Carroll's surgeon, Dr. Thomas Schmalzried, said the former SEAL was basically the prototype for the procedure - someone still young and fit whose joints just gave out too early.

"Mike is a special person. I was proud that he was able to continue as a SEAL with two artificial hips," Schmalzried said.

After the surgery, Carroll managed to get age and medical waivers from the Navy, though he had to drop a rank.

His return took some convincing of re-enlistment officials, so he called on his former teammates. One of them was Cmdr. Roger Meek, who had become an officer at the special-warfare base in Coronado.

The higher-ups largely foresaw that Carroll's role would be training younger SEALs, which is what special-warfare veterans switch to as they finish their careers. But Meek said he wouldn't have recommended Carroll if he didn't believe it was safe to place another sailor's life in his hands, as SEALs do in the tight corners of combat.

"He's a very thorough and squared-away guy with a good reputation for getting things done," Meek said. "In our community, reputation is everything."

The surgery left Carroll with two hockey-stick-shaped scars on his hips, but no complications so far. He now leads daily fitness workouts for his unit.

Sure, the younger SEALs call him "grandpa." In Iraq, the second-oldest SEAL in Carroll's unit was only 36. Another sailor teases him that this story will appear on the cover of AARP magazine.

Carroll said he is living the dream, with a year to go until retirement.

"I think there's a little bit of respect there from the younger guys," he said. "When they ask me how old I am, they can't really believe I'm that old - at least that's what they say. Maybe they are just being nice."

He adds, grinning, "I feel like a 25-year-old man."

Wayne Bono Hip Resurfacing Story with Dr. Shahrdar 2007

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:36:27 -0700

My name is Wayne Bono. I had the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing done in April of 2007. I was referred to Dr. Cambize Shahrdar by a tennis friend. I was unable to play competitive tennis after being the No. 1 ranked 55 year old in the Southern Section.

My surgery was done in Willis Knighton Pierremont Health Center in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, La
Since my surgery I have started playing competitive tennis again and just lost in finals of the Bocage Senior National level II tennis tournament to the National 65's champion who was also the 60's world champion in a close match. In the semi finals match I beat the No. 1 player in the south. I am moving and playing as well as I did 10 years ago when I was No. 1 in the Southern Section. I have referred two other younger tennis players that play competitive tennis to Dr. Shahrdar and they had double Birmingham's done and are now playing competitive tennis again. I could not be more pleased with my outcome and care I was given by Dr. Shahrdar.

Eric Bilateral BHRs with Dr. Smit 2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:34:35 -0700

I am currently in the hospital one day after having a BHR on my left hip. Three months ago I had the same procedure on my right hip. Hopefully I am now on my way to recovering some of the life I have lost.

Less than five years ago I was playing professional basketball and getting ready to make the transition to my new career as a fire fighter. I was completely pain free, had no indications of any pending health challenges and was excited to start another job where my physical conditioning was an asset. However, not long after starting this new career I began to notice tightness in my hip flexors and began to have a hard time squatting down. A trip to the doctor confirmed pretty narrow joint spaces and some large osteophytes forming. Surprisingly quickly I went from being able to go full out on the court and in the weight room six days a week, to struggling to pick a paper up off the floor or tie up my shoe.

Not only was I forced to dramatically change my sporting and health habits, I found myself having a harder time to do my job properly. Attacking the problem in the same way I did any deficiencies in my basketball game, I figured I just need to find the right treatment or health practitioner to solve my problem. I was told that hip resurfacing/replacement was a last resort and that I had to live with things as long as I could. I spent thousands of dollars going to different physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncture, active release technique, traditional Chinese medicine, not to mention the yoga, stretching and specific strength training I tried. Although many of these things provided temporary relief, none really changed the long-term course of hip degradation I was on. By the beginning of this year my X-rays indicated moderately severe and severe arthritis on my two hips and any day I was off the pain killers did much to confirmed this.

Having access to the community of people who have gone through similar issues on Surface Hippy really helped me make the decision I had been trying to avoid. Instead of constantly feeling "what is wrong with me" or "it can't be arthritis, I am too young", I started to get connected with the idea that this just happens to some people and the solution is pretty good. There is light on the other side of the tunnel. Mostly, the site gave me information based on first hand accounts that I could use to evaluate what different doctors were telling me.

I had more than one surgeon tell me that I should really go for a hip replacement and it would irresponsible to have a hip resurfacing. They told me the technology is still unproven, that there are too many unknowns about metal on metal issues and that there isn't any proof that patients are able to be any more active post resurfacing than they are post replacement.

Although this advice may turn out to be true if I am one of the small percentage that has any reaction to the metal ions, I am grateful to be able to hear real stories of people being very active after resurfacings. The chance I have to carry on an active lifestyle at best, or just preserve more of my femur at least, seemed to me to be worth any risks that these surgeons saw with resurfacing.

I had my right hip resurfaced in January 2010 and am happy with the results so far. Now 3 1/2 months later I am just out of my second operation and am optimistic about being fully on the road to recovery.

Eric

Walker Alford Hip Resurfacing Dr. Shahrdar 2008

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:33:08 -0700

I am located in Shreveport La. and my doctor is Cambize Shahrdar. I raced motocross my whole life and my body got beaten up pretty bad. The hips always seemed to be involved in crashes. Also, racing motocross requires a lot of training like running and biking which also is rough on the hips. I noticed trying to play golf about half way through the round my lower back area would just be killing me.

After a good while of dealing with the pain I decided to get checked. That is when I discovered my hips were in really bad shape. I was 40 at the time and the doctor told me I had the hips of an 80 year old. I continued to deal with the pain for a while even though it was getting worse all the time. After being in a store one night with my family my hip completely locked up and I couldn't walk out. This for me was the point of no return. I thought if my family would not have been with me I would have really been in a bind trying to get out and home. Shortly after that I received the Birmingham hip resurfacing.

Dr. Shahrdar suggested the Birmingham for me because of my age and activity level. Dr. Shahrdar in this area is the guy to go to. I have a lot of friends that are Doc's and 100% of them told me he was the guy for hip issues. Everything to do with the surgery was pretty much as he said it would be. The timing of issues like walking and driving were spot on.

The only thing I wish I would have done more of was research like looking at the surfacehippy web site. All of the info. you need is on this site. There are some small details that a person needs to check before having this surgery.

One of my issues after I got home was the tape they used on me in surgery. I was allergic to it and it was like the worse sunburn you have every had times 100. I also did not realize I was going to need to take blood thinner shots for a couple of weeks after I got home. This was tough for me because I had to give them to myself below my bellybutton. Other than those couple of things the surgery is awesome.

It has now been a year and a half since my surgery and my new hip is 99%. No pain and plenty of strength. I was 41 when I had my right hip resurfacing done in December 2008. If your age and activity level works the Birmingham hip resurfacing is the way to go. It's a great solution.

Tommy Smith Hip Resurfacing Story Dr. Tupper 2009

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:31:40 -0700

My hip journey starts like a lot of people , was very active and started to get pain in the groin and front of my left hip this was November 2007.

I was running 50 miles a week preparing for a December marathon so I just ran though the pain. In February 2008 as I was training for my April marathon by now the pain was starting to slow me down , so in May I went to my Family Dr. and he ordered a MRI. When the MRI showed very little joint space that’s when I started looking at hip replacement/resurfacing. Training for a marathon in January 2009 the pain was really bad, so at mile 7 of my April 2009 marathon I decided to get a BHR as soon as possible.

When I went in for surgery on June 2, I knew I had to be ready to run on April 25th 2010. Dr. Joel Tupper in Oklahoma City, peformed my hip resurfacing with a BHR for my left Hip.

Post surgery when they stood me up I just knew my running days were over. I starting walking 6 days post op about a half a mile a day, by day 18 I was walking 10 miles every weekend.

3 months post op I was doing some light jogging with a lot of strength training. In December I was running 35 miles per week and was ready to race, so in January 2010 I ran a half marathon I push it and the BHR pushed back but I knew things would get better with more work.

February 27 I did a 25k and the hip preformed much better. March 28th I ran a half marathon with good results so I knew April 25th I would be ready to go the full 26.2. I ran my 13th marathon, first with the BHR 11 months post op no hip issues.

Jim Laveglia Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Brooks 2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:29:46 -0700

Here is my story about my hip resurfacing. It starts in October of 2006 when I went to a local doctor in southwest Michigan and had my right hip X-rayed. I wanted to make sure it was arthritis and not something else. He said it was indeed arthritis in my hip and I would have to have it replaced in three to five years. I laughed and said fat chance. After my visit I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin regularly and ibuprofen if I had pain. I am quite active and started to ballroom dance which put more stress on my right hip. The activity that hurt the most was driving. I could not drive for more that 30 minutes without pain going right down to my knee. The same pain was involved when I rode horses. During the week, while I was at work the pain was not too bad but on the weekend when I would walk extensively at the farm or do more manual labor my hip would hurt. As my hip continued to deteriorate I could not ride my horse and dance in the same day. When my leg started giving out while I was dancing I knew something had to be done.

I went to the Cleveland Clinic in August of 2009 and asked the surgeon if there was anything else I could do besides replacement. He was a replacement surgeon and strongly recommended replacement. He mentioned resurfacing but told me there were a lot of issues with it. I scheduled replacement surgery for April 29th. I had a lot of time before the surgery, so I started doing some research. I was disturbed about the restrictions that are involved with hip replacement. I read more about resurfacing and decided I needed to see Dr. Brooks at the Cleveland Clinic about this procedure. My appointment was February 24, 2010 and he said I was a candidate for resurfacing and it was scheduled for May 5, 2010, Cinco de Mayo.

Because I am from out of town Phil, Dr. Brooks' Physician's Assistant scheduled my preop examination on Tuesday May 4 to save me an extra trip to Cleveland. I traveled to Cleveland with my wife and we got a hotel room for the week. My daughter is a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic so she was with me as well. I was getting rather apprehensive and thought about going back to Michigan but decided that was a foolish thought and continued. My surgery was scheduled for 8:30 AM on Wednesday morning so I had to check in the hospital at 6:00 AM. I was taken to the pre-surgery suite at about 7:15 AM and wheeled in the operating room at 8:23 AM. I was back in my room before Noon just in time for lunch. I felt great. I of course had no pain with the spinal and was in a very positive and upbeat mood. Dr. Brooks came to see me in the afternoon and saw how well I was able to move my right leg with my "dog leash" and said as soon as the spinal wore off I could get out of bed and walk.

After I ate dinner I got out of bed, got rid of the hospital gown, and started walking with my walker. It felt great. My wife and daughter did not want me to walk too far so I spent the rest of the evening in my chair before I went back to bed. On Thursday morning I got up, got dressed and walked with my walker as much as I could. On Friday they taught me how to use crutches, made sure I could go up and down stairs and released me from the hospital at about 2:00 PM. That night we all went out to dinner at a nice restaurant in Cleveland. My wife and I spent the night in the hotel and drove back to Michigan on Saturday morning. It was a four hour drive and I really had very little pain in my leg. Saturday May, 8th happened to be my birthday and I dearly wanted to be home on my birthday so that worked out well. Oh, I should probably mention that on May 8, 2010 I turned 63.

I can't say enough about the care I received at the hospital. Cleveland Clinic took over the Euclid Hospital several years ago. The whole staff was excellent and took very good care of me. I owe a lot of my speedy recovery to Dr. Brooks who is a magician when it comes to this surgery. He did an excellent job. Unfortunately I will have to have my left hip resurfaced soon and you better believe I will be right back at Euclid Hospital with Dr. Brooks doing the resurfacing.

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July 2010

James Laveglia - Hip Resurfacing Part II

I forgot to mention that the picture is of me and my daughter 10 hours after surgery. After my stroll down the hall with my walker after dinner on Wednesday, May 5th I came back to the room and took this picture with my daughter.

I went back to work on Tuesday, May 11 for half a day. I have a desk job so that was a fairly easy task. I did half days for the rest of the week. I have to admit I was tired after being at work for just half days that week. I was not prepared for the swelling that occurred in my thigh, lower leg and foot. By the end of the day it was fairly painful and I would go home and raise my foot up. I had to wear a sneaker on my right foot for several days. The swelling lasted less than a week and although there may be a very slight amount of swelling in my ankle and foot today (8 weeks post surgery) for all practical purposes it was pretty much gone at three weeks post surgery.

I travel quite a bit and I had a trip scheduled for Japan on June 14th (5 weeks and 5 days after surgery). My 6 week check up was scheduled for June 16th so I contacted Phil and asked if I could come in for my check up on June 10th (5 weeks and 1 day after surgery). He said that was fine. They took X-rays and Phil had me walk without my crutches and told me I could go to Japan but to continue taking my aspirin until I got back. It is a 13 hour flight from Detroit to Tokyo and this was a preventative measure. Phil noticed I had a slight limp when I walked and he gave me an additional exercise to do. He told me to lay on my left side and raise my right leg as high as I could and to do this exercise 90 times a day. This was difficult in the beginning but it has really strengthened my muscles and my limp is gone.

I have been inspired by the post surgery video’s on Surface Hippy especially the video of the young lady dancing 4 weeks after surgery. I dearly wanted to make a dancing video 4 weeks after my surgery but I just could not dance very well. I continued to work on it and I did make a video of me waltzing 5 weeks after my resurfacing surgery. I will send that video to Surface Hippy. At that time I could actually dance better than I could walk. I went for my check up in Cleveland the next day and with the exercise that Phil gave me it has really improved my dancing and walking.

It has been 8 weeks since my resurfacing surgery and I can honestly say I am very happy I did this procedure and I have been very pleased with my recovery. Dancing has become a big part of my life and before my hip resurfacing I was unable to perform the Viennese Waltz as my hip would not hold up to all the movement and pressure that is required to perform this dance. I am learning that dance now and with my new resurfaced hip I am able to do the dance with no pain and my hip does not give out. We are putting together a Viennese Waltz routine for our dance competition in September and once we have the routine down I will take a video and submit it to Surface Hippy. I recommend this procedure to anybody that is thinking about hip surgery. It is truly a phenomenal procedure.

Richard Shipman Hip Resurfacing Dr. Masonis 2010

nospam@example.com (Patricia Walter) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:26:28 -0700

I start this story of my hip resurfacing from the hospital room the day after my surgery. The road to this point was longer and more difficult than I had initially envisioned, and I felt that others might benefit from some of my experiences, as I have benefited from reading the input from others on this excellent site.

First, a little background: I an a 66 years old – long in the tooth for most resurfacings! But, sports and an active lifestyle have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember and my goal was to maintain this activity level. Tennis in particular is my passion, and I compete regularly in singles tournaments and league play. When not playing tennis, I ride my road bike, play racquetball and enjoy walking & hiking. Therefore, when I experienced what I thought was a groin pull in March of 2009, I was distressed that I had to layoff these activities, but I figured the injury would heal with rest. Unfortunately, it didn't. I wrapped my groin and started taking more ibuprofen but the problem just kept getting worse. Finally, I went to my local orthopod and he confirmed the diagnosis: arthritis of the right hip with bone on bone contact. He basically told me to continue going as long as I could, then come back and have a hip replacement.

After the diagnosis, I felt that I would have a year or two until surgery, so I just upped my dosage of anti-inflammatory and pressed on. Unfortunately, even going to prescription strength Mobic proved inadequate, and by November of 2009 I couldn't compete at all. Something needed to be done.

CHOOSING A PROCEDURE & FINDING A DOCTOR

When I first realized that a hip replacement was inevitable, I rather naively believed that technology had improved to a point where hip replacements were more or less routine and recovery to full mobility would be quick and easy. However, as I researched the various procedures, it soon became apparent to me that this was major surgery and there were many options, procedures, devices and other medical decisions that had to be made, and they couldn't be made in a rush. So I backed off my initial timeline and started exploring the options, particularly resurfacing vs. THR. A good tennis player and friend had one of the first BHRs here in NC when it was still experimental, and he had great results. So, that was my first area of interest and subsequent research led me to this helpful site. After studying this site and comparing the procedures, it seemed clear to me that if I wanted to return to my active lifestyle, resurfacing was the way to go.

Unfortunately, finding a doctor to do the resurfacing proved difficult. There were no doctors in the Charlotte, NC area who were on the website referral list, so I made an appointment at OrthoCarolina, the largest orthopedic group in Charlotte. The first doctor I saw said he did no resurfacings on anyone over 55, and even then, they represented only a small number of his total hip operations, so I moved on. He did suggest another doctor in the group who might do it, so I made an appointment with him. Unfortunately, the soonest I could get in was in about 2 months. In the meanwhile, I went to another orthopedic group only to discover that they did no resurfacings whatsoever.

Given the difficulty finding a surgeon locally, I called Dr Gross in Columbia, SC which is only about 90 miles south of Charlotte. Dr. Gross said he would do the procedure but that he did not accept Medicare, so that put him out. Eventually I met with the second doctor from OthoCarolina, Dr. John Masonis, who agreed to do either the resurfacing or a THR. He had been involved in a resurfacing trial and estimated he had done over 100 procedures. I would have preferred a doctor who was really "into" resurfacing, but he was a doctor with a good reputation who had been recommended to me by several other athletes who had their hips/knees operated on. Surgery was set for May 17, 2010.

I started getting cold feet as the surgery date drew near. I had stopped those activities that were really bothering my hip in November, so not surprisingly, by May the pain had lessened and I started second guessing my decision to go ahead with this major surgery. But, I tried a couple sets of tennis and a golf round the week before the surgery, and all the pain returned, so my conviction returned as well.

SURGERY AND HOSPITAL

I had the first scheduled surgery time which supposedly is good, but I was not excited to be on the road to the hospital at 4:30 a.m. for the 5:00 a.m. show. But once I got over this obstacle, I was admitted quickly and sent to prep right away. Certainly better than sitting around and waiting. In surgery prep they started the antibiotic IVs and completed the other preliminaries. The anesthesiologist stopped by to brief me on the spinal I would get. He told me that I would be given a mild anesthetic which would enable me to be awake enough to sit up for the spinal, but groggy enough that I wouldn't remember it. It worked liked a charm. I don't remember the spinal, the catheter or the operation at all, and I awoke in the recovery room with the operation complete. Shortly thereafter I was wheeled to my room…..total time from prep to room: about 3 ½ hours. The doctor chose an anterior incision, so I had a long scar running up the top of thigh to just above my hip bone. I also had a blood drain attached and it drained for about 3 days.

I stayed in bed the rest of the day. Dilaudid was hooked up to my IV and could be administered on demand by pressing a button. Initially, I tried to limit use to one shot every other hour but the nurses assured me that it could be administered more frequently. The first night was not very restful with the nurses making frequent visits. Also, I was trying to sleep on my back, the pressure cuffs where inflating periodically on my legs (to prevent clots) and I had a bad case of night sweats….all pretty normal stuff. The next day I started PT, learning to walk with crutches. The second night was better as the nurses cut down on visits, I could sleep on my side and I was more generous with the Dilaudid applications. The night sweats were still bad, however.

After some morning PT on the third day, I was released from the hospital and headed home around noon. Since I live alone, my daughter arrived to help out for the rest of the week. You're pretty helpless your first days back so a helper is absolutely essential.

RECOVERY

My recovery was complicated by two factors: first, the doctor's orders dictated no weight bearing for the first two weeks and 50% weight bearing for the second two weeks. The second factor was that I live alone, and my daughter had to return to work after the first week. While many friends provided food and ran errands, and my sweetheart came over after work every day to make dinner, I was nevertheless on my own during the day. I soon realized how difficult it was to do everyday tasks when you are on crutches and one leg. Like, how do you carry your morning coffee from the pot to the dining room table? Also, my bedroom is on the second floor of the house and I had no downstairs alternatives.

In order to cope with life on my own during the day, I developed a few techniques which I found helpful. My daughter bought a metal basked which affixed to the walker so I had a way to transport articles and food short distances around the lower level of the house. For getting up and down stairs with the crutches, I found a large canvas bag which I could hang around my neck to carry things I needed upstairs while still having my hands free for the crutches/banister. I also took home a urine collection bottle from the hospital, so I didn't have to go all the way to the bathroom when I had to go in the night. Unfortunately, I then had to use my around-the-neck-bag to transport the urine the next day to the toilet - not a very pleasant experience - but I guess you do what you have to do.

I was somewhat confused by the non-weight bearing orders, given that all I have read on this site indicates that most of the BHR patients are weight bearing immediately. I tried to get a clarification on this from the doctor but the only explanation was that this was “his protocol.” Everybody says “listen to your doctor” so I tried to be compliant. I had regular visits from a PT, but given the restrictions, all we could do is practice going up and down stairs and going for walks with the crutches.

When I first got home, I was taking Percocet for pain. While it was helpful, it gave me constipation that was resistant to all over the counter medication. I tried them all: Citrocell, Ex Lax, stool softeners, Milk of Magnesia. Finally, after a week, the pain from the constipation was worse than the hip pain, so I stopped the Percocet completely, and 12 hours later, all was well.

I replaced the Percocet with Tylenol, but as week 2 wore on, the pain lessened to a point where I would take the pills only once or twice a day. By the end of week two I could tell that healing was well underway. I didn't need to take any Tylenol, the night sweats were significantly reduced and I was able to walk increasing distances with my crutches. I started weaning myself onto one crutch while indoors but maintained both crutches for outdoor walking to at least attempt to comply with the doctor's directive. The biggest problem at this point was terminal boredom and cabin fever, although I was able to get out periodically. It gave me new empathy for those who are shut-in permanently!

My doctor used the anterior incision procedure and then used internal stitches and glue to seal the incision. Thus there were no staples to remove and I was able to shower early on in my recovery. Healing of the wound was fine and without pain, as if often not the case with staples.

By week 4 I was walking comfortably with one crutch, was able to get to the pool in the neighborhood for some water exercise, and was practicing getting in and out of my car. Since the surgery was on my right leg, I had to be sure I have enough strength in the leg to lift the foot from the accelerator to the brake. Fortunately, in my car the pedals are close together, and by taking off my sandals, my heel moved smoothly to the brake. I eventually got to a point where I was comfortable driving around the neighborhood and to the local grocery store. Just this small measure of freedom was exhilarating!

By the end of week 4 I was off the Coumadin( and back on beer!) and was walking with only a cane. I was frustrated by an inability to get clarifying information of what I could and could not do under the “50% weight bearing limit” so I took it upon myself to proceed at a pace I felt comfortable with.. On my 4 weeks anniversary I went to the cane on and off and felt comfortable although still limping.

My 4 week checkup with the doctor went fine. The x-rays all showed normal, and I was basically cleared to do anything I wanted to do. So, I am dedicating the rest of this month and next to regaining the muscle strength I have lost, losing my limp and regaining some conditioning. At this stage, I'd say my progress has been good and I am cautiously optimistic. I don't have pain in the hip but I still have a pronounced limp and major range of motion problems. I had to have a friend help with put on my sock for my first trip to the sport center. My goal is to return to the tennis court by late Aug./early Sept. and to be competitive by Oct. I'll keep this site posted.

In closing, I just wanted to compliment this site for the information and support it has give me over this entire process. It was most informative and helpful. If I can give back to anyone something more than I have already written, please don't hesitate to drop me an email at rshipman3@carolina.rr.com