Re: What to ask your surgeon.

[Guest guest]

I asked a ton of questions, but in order to know what to ask I read a couple

books first as well as studied the questions/answers in our group here. I also

studied my diagnosis which was causing me to have the surgery. It was a fluke

that I found the physician who did the direct anterior approach. Everyone at

work knew I was going to have the surgery, I just had not decided who or when. I

started studying all the different options, and one day a co worker brought the

name and phone number of the surgeon I eventually chose to do the work. She saw

a show on a local television series about joint replacement. I never even knew

about this approach until I read up on his website and did further studying. The

biggest challenge for me and I'm sure many here is knowing the questions to ask

if you don't know anything about it. Once I did all my homework I was able to

make the right decision for me.

On Apr 26, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Pamela wrote:

> Hi

> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list together

already - from my own experience and from talking to patients and surgeons.

>

> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about rehab

(many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again) but the

surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the prosthesis -

particularly how long it'll last.

>

> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something you

totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough about to

ask?

>

> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be asked in

different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what is

available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

>

> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

> Thanking you in advance

> Pamela

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I was pretty well in the same position. I was sent to see the surgeon

with a provisional diagnosis of a trochanteric bursitis with a labral tear

- to be greated with " forget about them what about the advanced arthritis

you have in both hips - you need the right one replaced now " . I couldn't

ask any questions then as I was so ill prepared.

After the appointment I started reading as much as I could and I found it

hard to get in depth information - which is pretty well why I started my

web site. When I went back for the 2nd appointment I asked loads of

questions but needed time to digest and fully appreciate the answers. So

I called the surgeon back with the last few. He was extremely patient and

very happy to talk me through everything.

What I'm trying to do now is prepare a list of what I'd consider the " must

ask " questions to be - but want it to go beyond my personal experience.

I've pretty well drafted it up but want to be sure that I'm not missing

anything obvious.

I agree with you though that there is a real need to read up on the

particular op you are likely to be having and understand why it is that

not something else.

Some people don't want information at all and I respect that as their

decision though I'll never understand it

all the best

Pamela

I asked a ton of questions, but in order to know what to ask I read a

> couple books first as well as studied the questions/answers in our group

> here. I also studied my diagnosis which was causing me to have the

> surgery. It was a fluke that I found the physician who did the direct

> anterior approach. Everyone at work knew I was going to have the surgery,

> I just had not decided who or when. I started studying all the different

> options, and one day a co worker brought the name and phone number of the

> surgeon I eventually chose to do the work. She saw a show on a local

> television series about joint replacement. I never even knew about this

> approach until I read up on his website and did further studying. The

> biggest challenge for me and I'm sure many here is knowing the questions

> to ask if you don't know anything about it. Once I did all my homework I

> was able to make the right decision for me.

>

>

> On Apr 26, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Pamela wrote:

>

>> Hi

>> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

>> patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

>> together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients

>> and surgeons.

>>

>> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about

>> rehab (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going

>> again) but the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions

>> about the prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

>>

>> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something

>> you totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough

>> about to ask?

>>

>> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be

>> asked in different countries depending on how the health care is funded

>> and what is available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in

>> UK.

>>

>> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

>> Thanking you in advance

>> Pamela

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks

I was pretty well in the same position. I was sent to see the surgeon

with a provisional diagnosis of a trochanteric bursitis with a labral tear

- to be greated with " forget about them what about the advanced arthritis

you have in both hips - you need the right one replaced now " . I couldn't

ask any questions then as I was so ill prepared.

After the appointment I started reading as much as I could and I found it

hard to get in depth information - which is pretty well why I started my

web site. When I went back for the 2nd appointment I asked loads of

questions but needed time to digest and fully appreciate the answers. So

I called the surgeon back with the last few. He was extremely patient and

very happy to talk me through everything.

What I'm trying to do now is prepare a list of what I'd consider the " must

ask " questions to be - but want it to go beyond my personal experience.

I've pretty well drafted it up but want to be sure that I'm not missing

anything obvious.

I agree with you though that there is a real need to read up on the

particular op you are likely to be having and understand why it is that

not something else.

Some people don't want information at all and I respect that as their

decision though I'll never understand it

all the best

Pamela

I asked a ton of questions, but in order to know what to ask I read a

> couple books first as well as studied the questions/answers in our group

> here. I also studied my diagnosis which was causing me to have the

> surgery. It was a fluke that I found the physician who did the direct

> anterior approach. Everyone at work knew I was going to have the surgery,

> I just had not decided who or when. I started studying all the different

> options, and one day a co worker brought the name and phone number of the

> surgeon I eventually chose to do the work. She saw a show on a local

> television series about joint replacement. I never even knew about this

> approach until I read up on his website and did further studying. The

> biggest challenge for me and I'm sure many here is knowing the questions

> to ask if you don't know anything about it. Once I did all my homework I

> was able to make the right decision for me.

>

>

> On Apr 26, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Pamela wrote:

>

>> Hi

>> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

>> patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

>> together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients

>> and surgeons.

>>

>> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about

>> rehab (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going

>> again) but the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions

>> about the prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

>>

>> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something

>> you totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough

>> about to ask?

>>

>> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be

>> asked in different countries depending on how the health care is funded

>> and what is available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in

>> UK.

>>

>> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

>> Thanking you in advance

>> Pamela

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pamela, there were more things that I didn't know enough to ask about than

what I did ask about.........without this group, I would have been in the

dark

about a lot of things. When I did ask about some things my OS would say

most people didn't ask. And another comment I got was 'are you sure you

want to know the answer to this....it might be more than you want to know. "

He would answer what I asked but you have to know enough to ask......

Some people do not want to know any details. BARB in Florida

TRHR 11.11.10

What to ask your surgeon.

Hi

I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients and

surgeons.

On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about rehab

(many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again) but

the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the

prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something you

totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough about to

ask?

I think there will be differences between questions that need to be asked in

different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what is

available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Thanking you in advance

Pamela

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Here is my list of questions. I was kind of embarrassed about the length of the

list so I just handed it to my doc and asked him to take a look. He answered all

of them to some degree.

1) Indications for surgery (why are you a candidate?)

2) Probable outcome scenarios for all reasonable treatment alternatives.

3) Detailed description of the procedure:

a) Surgical route (classic vs. minimally invasive surgery, anterior vs.

posterior vs. Path).

Implant design & fixation method (brand and model, cement vs. cementless).

c) Bearings (ceramic, metal, polyethylene in various combinations).

4) Risks and potential benefits of the recommended treatment.

5) Disclosure of clinical experience with the specific treatment.

6) Disclosure of any conflict of interest.

7) Every case is different and should be evaluated on its own merit based on

such factors as anticipated function, the patient's age, quality of bone and

other illnesses the patient may have. The goal is to arrive to a decision based

on medical facts, evidence based results, patient preferences and surgical

experience.

8) Failure rate?

9) What kind of anesthesia

10) How long to recover

>

> Pamela, there were more things that I didn't know enough to ask about than

> what I did ask about.........without this group, I would have been in the

> dark

> about a lot of things. When I did ask about some things my OS would say

> most people didn't ask. And another comment I got was 'are you sure you

> want to know the answer to this....it might be more than you want to know. "

> He would answer what I asked but you have to know enough to ask......

> Some people do not want to know any details. BARB in Florida

> TRHR 11.11.10

>

>

>

> What to ask your surgeon.

>

>

> Hi

> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

> patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

> together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients and

> surgeons.

>

> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about rehab

> (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again) but

> the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the

> prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

>

> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something you

> totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough about to

> ask?

>

> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be asked in

> different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what is

> available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

>

> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

> Thanking you in advance

> Pamela

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nice list. My initial one was even longer but I managed to cobble some

together. It is reassuring to see we cover the same ground and I haven't

left out anything major.

I so agree with you about asking so many questions. It seems so illogical

to feel embarrased and yet 95% of us do. I just bite the bullet and

say " I've got a list " I have to take a list as I forget or think I've

asked too many. Some how having the list helps.

My surgeon was very patient and seemed very happy to discuss everything

with me.

Asking about their revision rate and length of experience with a

particular procedure always makes me cringe but they are just such

important questions.

The other main question for me is who will be operating. I was quite

often seen by the SpR but operated on by the consultant for instance.

Thanks for sharing your list

Best wishes

Pamela

>

> Here is my list of questions. I was kind of embarrassed about the length

> of the list so I just handed it to my doc and asked him to take a look. He

> answered all of them to some degree.

>

> 1) Indications for surgery (why are you a candidate?)

>

> 2) Probable outcome scenarios for all reasonable treatment alternatives.

>

> 3) Detailed description of the procedure:

> a) Surgical route (classic vs. minimally invasive surgery, anterior vs.

> posterior vs. Path).

> Implant design & fixation method (brand and model, cement vs.

> cementless).

> c) Bearings (ceramic, metal, polyethylene in various combinations).

>

> 4) Risks and potential benefits of the recommended treatment.

>

> 5) Disclosure of clinical experience with the specific treatment.

>

> 6) Disclosure of any conflict of interest.

>

> 7) Every case is different and should be evaluated on its own merit based

> on such factors as anticipated function, the patient's age, quality of

> bone and other illnesses the patient may have. The goal is to arrive to a

> decision based on medical facts, evidence based results, patient

> preferences and surgical experience.

>

> 8) Failure rate?

>

> 9) What kind of anesthesia

>

> 10) How long to recover

>

>

>

>

>

>

>>

>> Pamela, there were more things that I didn't know enough to ask about

>> than

>> what I did ask about.........without this group, I would have been in

>> the

>> dark

>> about a lot of things. When I did ask about some things my OS would say

>> most people didn't ask. And another comment I got was 'are you sure you

>> want to know the answer to this....it might be more than you want to

>> know. "

>> He would answer what I asked but you have to know enough to ask......

>> Some people do not want to know any details. BARB in Florida

>> TRHR 11.11.10

>>

>>

>>

>> What to ask your surgeon.

>>

>>

>> Hi

>> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

>> patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

>> together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients

>> and

>> surgeons.

>>

>> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about

>> rehab

>> (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again)

>> but

>> the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the

>> prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

>>

>> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something

>> you

>> totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough

>> about to

>> ask?

>>

>> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be

>> asked in

>> different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what

>> is

>> available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

>>

>> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

>> Thanking you in advance

>> Pamela

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> ------------------------------------

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

How about post surgery restrictions

Recommended pre surgery strength training

I just got back from my first session of outpatient PT and I'm at week 4. The

therapist said that I seemed to be healing up fairly quickly as I no longer need

a cane to walk. He actually gave me alot more information about post surgery

expectations than my doctor. This is probably due to the fact that he works

closely with a variety of patients after surgery and the doctor is more focused

on the surgery itself.

I wish you all the best, it certainly is a journey!!

On Apr 27, 2011, at 4:27 PM, thadab wrote:

>

>

> Here is my list of questions. I was kind of embarrassed about the length of

the list so I just handed it to my doc and asked him to take a look. He answered

all of them to some degree.

>

> 1) Indications for surgery (why are you a candidate?)

>

> 2) Probable outcome scenarios for all reasonable treatment alternatives.

>

> 3) Detailed description of the procedure:

> a) Surgical route (classic vs. minimally invasive surgery, anterior vs.

posterior vs. Path).

> Implant design & fixation method (brand and model, cement vs. cementless).

> c) Bearings (ceramic, metal, polyethylene in various combinations).

>

> 4) Risks and potential benefits of the recommended treatment.

>

> 5) Disclosure of clinical experience with the specific treatment.

>

> 6) Disclosure of any conflict of interest.

>

> 7) Every case is different and should be evaluated on its own merit based on

such factors as anticipated function, the patient's age, quality of bone and

other illnesses the patient may have. The goal is to arrive to a decision based

on medical facts, evidence based results, patient preferences and surgical

experience.

>

> 8) Failure rate?

>

> 9) What kind of anesthesia

>

> 10) How long to recover

>

>

> >

> > Pamela, there were more things that I didn't know enough to ask about than

> > what I did ask about.........without this group, I would have been in the

> > dark

> > about a lot of things. When I did ask about some things my OS would say

> > most people didn't ask. And another comment I got was 'are you sure you

> > want to know the answer to this....it might be more than you want to know. "

> > He would answer what I asked but you have to know enough to ask......

> > Some people do not want to know any details. BARB in Florida

> > TRHR 11.11.10

> >

> >

> >

> > What to ask your surgeon.

> >

> >

> > Hi

> > I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

> > patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

> > together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients and

> > surgeons.

> >

> > On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about rehab

> > (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again) but

> > the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the

> > prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

> >

> > I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something you

> > totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough about to

> > ask?

> >

> > I think there will be differences between questions that need to be asked in

> > different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what is

> > available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

> >

> > What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

> > Thanking you in advance

> > Pamela

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you're doing really well . Pre strength training is something I

didn't ask about the first time but am very interested in now whilst I keep

delaying my next op.

Good luck with your journey

Sent from my iPhone

On 28 Apr 2011, at 21:47, Weal <goddessrenee@...> wrote:

> How about post surgery restrictions

> Recommended pre surgery strength training

>

> I just got back from my first session of outpatient PT and I'm at week 4. The

therapist said that I seemed to be healing up fairly quickly as I no longer need

a cane to walk. He actually gave me alot more information about post surgery

expectations than my doctor. This is probably due to the fact that he works

closely with a variety of patients after surgery and the doctor is more focused

on the surgery itself.

>

> I wish you all the best, it certainly is a journey!!

>

>

> On Apr 27, 2011, at 4:27 PM, thadab wrote:

>

>>

>>

>> Here is my list of questions. I was kind of embarrassed about the length of

the list so I just handed it to my doc and asked him to take a look. He answered

all of them to some degree.

>>

>> 1) Indications for surgery (why are you a candidate?)

>>

>> 2) Probable outcome scenarios for all reasonable treatment alternatives.

>>

>> 3) Detailed description of the procedure:

>> a) Surgical route (classic vs. minimally invasive surgery, anterior vs.

posterior vs. Path).

>> Implant design & fixation method (brand and model, cement vs.

cementless).

>> c) Bearings (ceramic, metal, polyethylene in various combinations).

>>

>> 4) Risks and potential benefits of the recommended treatment.

>>

>> 5) Disclosure of clinical experience with the specific treatment.

>>

>> 6) Disclosure of any conflict of interest.

>>

>> 7) Every case is different and should be evaluated on its own merit based

on such factors as anticipated function, the patient's age, quality of bone and

other illnesses the patient may have. The goal is to arrive to a decision based

on medical facts, evidence based results, patient preferences and surgical

experience.

>>

>> 8) Failure rate?

>>

>> 9) What kind of anesthesia

>>

>> 10) How long to recover

>>

>>

>>>

>>> Pamela, there were more things that I didn't know enough to ask about than

>>> what I did ask about.........without this group, I would have been in the

>>> dark

>>> about a lot of things. When I did ask about some things my OS would say

>>> most people didn't ask. And another comment I got was 'are you sure you

>>> want to know the answer to this....it might be more than you want to know. "

>>> He would answer what I asked but you have to know enough to ask......

>>> Some people do not want to know any details. BARB in Florida

>>> TRHR 11.11.10

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> What to ask your surgeon.

>>>

>>>

>>> Hi

>>> I'm trying to put together some advice on questions that hip replacement

>>> patients should ask their surgeon before the op. I've put quite a list

>>> together already - from my own experience and from talking to patients and

>>> surgeons.

>>>

>>> On the whole patients are saying they'd wished they'd asked more about rehab

>>> (many are surprised how long it has taken for them to get going again) but

>>> the surgeons are saying that they don't get asked questions about the

>>> prosthesis - particularly how long it'll last.

>>>

>>> I was wondering what you all thought. In particular was there something you

>>> totally forgot to ask or, even more importantly, didn't know enough about to

>>> ask?

>>>

>>> I think there will be differences between questions that need to be asked in

>>> different countries depending on how the health care is funded and what is

>>> available for rehab. Most of my contacts so far have been in UK.

>>>

>>> What do you think? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.

>>> Thanking you in advance

>>> Pamela

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> ------------------------------------

>>>

>>>