RE: Total hip replacement - minimal invasive and classic methods

[Guest guest]

Margaret:

May I suggest that you examine Carmel Hospital in Haifa, and the Orthopedic

Department head, Prof. Moshe Roffman. He was my " second opinion " because I

had worked with him professionally in a clinical trial on a separate issue

entirely that involved bone growth for fracture healing. The only reason I

didn't do my replacements with him is that Tel HaShomer was closer to home.

That being the reason, he recommended Tel HaShomer. I would be very leery

about going to Poriyya to do it-- their rep isn't very good.

I expect your Kupat Holim will give you full coverage for a hip replacement

at Carmel Hospital. It's owned and run by Kupat Holim Klalit, but they take

patients from all 4 kupot holim.

Mine were done by the Head of the Tel HaShomer Ortho dept, Dr. Aharon

Chechik, and the scars are about 12-13 cm long, and were completely covered

by my Kupat Holim (Macabbi).

If you have any other questions, contact me off-list at

mdavison@...

; RTHR - 2003; LTHR - 2004

_____

From: Joint Replacement

[mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Margaret Hayon

Sent: ã 07 îàé 2008 18:28

Joint Replacement

Subject: Total hip replacement - " minimal

invasive " and " classic " methods

Hello, I'm new to this group. My name is Margaret, age 64, living in

north Israel. I am considering hip replacement surgery, would like

advice and thoughts regarding " minimal invasive " and " classic "

methods.

I had my right hip replaced 4 years ago in Hadassah Hospital,

Jerusalem, using the minimal invasive technique - was very pleased

with the results! I was in hospital 4 days, then discharged straight

home, and was able to manage from then on with one hour daily home

help (provided by my local health clinic - I live alone.) Very small

incision - only 10cm. Quicker healing and recovery. This would be

my choice again, all other things being equal. However, it was very

expensive (even though my insurance covered most of it). Also,

Jerusalem is a long way from my home – more than 3 hours by car

(longer by bus).

Now my left hip needs to be done. This time, the orthopaedic doctor

in my local clinic is suggesting that I have the surgery done at a

local hospital here in the north (Poriyya Hospital, near Tiberias).

This would be free, fully covered by my health fund. Also much

nearer home (less than an hour), easier to get to for consultation

and post-op checkups.

However, the surgeons here in the north don't use the minimal

invasive technique, only the regular classic technique (which

involves a bigger incision – about 22cm) – therefore takes longer to

heal and rehabilitate; I was told I might have to spend 2-3 weeks in

a rehabilitation unit before returning home. Several friends with

whom I've spoken have also told me that the orthopaedic department at

Poriyya Hospital does not have a good reputation (similarly with

other hospitals in the north) –and I have heard stories (some first-

hand) of orthopaedic operations that have gone wrong... The

general consensus among people I've talked to is that hospitals in

the centre of the country are of a higher standard and give better

treatment and care than the local hospitals; and that I should go

there if at all possible.

Since I live alone and have no family in this country, it is

especially important to me to regain my mobility and independence as

quickly as possible. However, distance and expense are also a big

consideration for me, as I am a retired pensioner, not working, with

limited income and savings. It would be much less expensive to have

the surgery done locally, near home.

I would like to hear other people's experiences of both types of

surgery – especially the post-op recovery / rehabilitation period.

How long did it take you to return to normal activity? To drive a

car? Is there much difference between the recovery / rehab process

of the two methods?

Margaret in north Israel

..

<http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=7780446/grpspId=1705061104/msgId

=28820/stime=1210186392/nc1=5191951/nc2=5191948/nc3=3848641>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you very much for your advice - very helpful and much appreciated!

I'm glad to find someone else in Israel on this list.

Carmel Hospital in Haifa would certainly be more convenient for me than

Jerusalem - I live in Tzfat, and am with Kupat Holim Klalit - I shall

certainly try and get a " second opinion " there.

The surgeon who did my first hip replacement was Dr Yoav Matan, at Hadassah

Hospital (Mount Scopus) - an excellent surgeon (I think one of the pioneers

in computer-assisted minimal invasive THR), and I was very satisfied with

the surgery and after-care. But cost and distance are important

considerations for me this time.

Thanks again, and I'll contact you off-list if any queries arise.

Margaret

Total hip replacement - " minimal

invasive " and " classic " methods

Hello, I'm new to this group. My name is Margaret, age 64, living in

north Israel. I am considering hip replacement surgery, would like

advice and thoughts regarding " minimal invasive " and " classic "

methods.

I had my right hip replaced 4 years ago in Hadassah Hospital,

Jerusalem, using the minimal invasive technique - was very pleased

with the results! I was in hospital 4 days, then discharged straight

home, and was able to manage from then on with one hour daily home

help (provided by my local health clinic - I live alone.) Very small

incision - only 10cm. Quicker healing and recovery. This would be

my choice again, all other things being equal. However, it was very

expensive (even though my insurance covered most of it). Also,

Jerusalem is a long way from my home – more than 3 hours by car

(longer by bus).

Now my left hip needs to be done. This time, the orthopaedic doctor

in my local clinic is suggesting that I have the surgery done at a

local hospital here in the north (Poriyya Hospital, near Tiberias).

This would be free, fully covered by my health fund. Also much

nearer home (less than an hour), easier to get to for consultation

and post-op checkups.

However, the surgeons here in the north don't use the minimal

invasive technique, only the regular classic technique (which

involves a bigger incision – about 22cm) – therefore takes longer to

heal and rehabilitate; I was told I might have to spend 2-3 weeks in

a rehabilitation unit before returning home. Several friends with

whom I've spoken have also told me that the orthopaedic department at

Poriyya Hospital does not have a good reputation (similarly with

other hospitals in the north) –and I have heard stories (some first-

hand) of orthopaedic operations that have gone wrong... The

general consensus among people I've talked to is that hospitals in

the centre of the country are of a higher standard and give better

treatment and care than the local hospitals; and that I should go

there if at all possible.

Since I live alone and have no family in this country, it is

especially important to me to regain my mobility and independence as

quickly as possible. However, distance and expense are also a big

consideration for me, as I am a retired pensioner, not working, with

limited income and savings. It would be much less expensive to have

the surgery done locally, near home.

I would like to hear other people's experiences of both types of

surgery – especially the post-op recovery / rehabilitation period.

How long did it take you to return to normal activity? To drive a

car? Is there much difference between the recovery / rehab process

of the two methods?

Margaret in north Israel

..

<http://geo./serv?s=97359714/grpId=7780446/grpspId=1705061104/msgId

=28820/stime=1210186392/nc1=5191951/nc2=5191948/nc3=3848641>