Re: hip resurface ve replacement

January 30, 2011

Thanks Freja,

You will be telling him as I am forwarding your message. So he will have your

email and can write and ask more questions if he needs to.

I know the Dupew is on recall and wouldn't encourage that myself.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Donna R

hip resurface ve replacement

Hi Donna,

I had my hip resurfaced at age 43 (I am female) three years ago.

I feel fantastic. However, my surgeon assured me that had he put in a THR (

total hip replacement) instead, I would not have been able to tell the

difference.

The most important thing to me was that at age 43, having a hip replaced (or

resurfaced) means that you are bound to need at least one revision (re-do) if

you live a normal lifespan.

Having a hip resurfaced, which does not remove anywhere near as much bone on the

femur side, means that when you need a revision, it is much easier ( the surgeon

just puts in a THR - resurfacings cannot usually be re-done).

So, for me, the re-doability of the resurface was much more of a factor than

anything else.

HOWEVER...

A big factor in resurfacings is the quality of the surgeon doing the job.

There have been a few instances of numbers of resurfacings failing very early,

and producing tissue problems because ( it seems) inexperienced surgeons have

been dpoing a lot of resurfacings without the proper level of expertise -

resurfacings., unlike THRs have a very low tolerance for being positioned less

than perfectly.

If put in wrongly, they can wear down much faster than usual, producing

problems.

Also, there has been one high-profile company, Depuy (if I remember correctly),

which seems to have produced a prosthesis which fails early - there is a recall

on at the moment.

If I was speaking to your SIL, I would tell him that my resurfacing is

fantastic, and has been the best thing I have ever done, but to choose your

surgeon with care - don't worry too much, there are some great surgeons out

there! Just be an informed patient!

If he wants to email me privately, thats fine.

Best regards

Freja (Wales)

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