Another New Guy in So. Cal

[Guest guest]

Hi to all,

Just discovered this great site as I was looking for alternatives to

THR. I've order Peggy 's book, but am specifically

interested in finding a good doctor in So. Cal doing resurfacing.

I'm 58 and very tired of hurting and limping. Exercising has become

a real problem.

I have scheduled my right hip THR for early October, but as one

might expect, I want to be as sure as I can be that this is the

right way to go.

Any help with doctors, costs and insurance (United Health Care ppo)

would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,

TL

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom,

Welcome to the group. I'm an active 57 year old So Cal guy in my

7th year on one resurfaced hip and 6 months on the other. They're

better than new, zero restrictions, and I've put them to the test

with tennis, running, cycling, weight training, even skydiving. I

probably speak for all of us in this group in suggesting you put your

THR surgery on hold until you do your homework on resurfacing.

First the good news: resurfacing is a better option than a THR for

active types - no amputation of the femur, more natural loading of

the hip, and it has the potential to last a lifetime. Even in the

worst case resurfacing scenario, you can always have a THR, but not

the other way around. Once you have a THR, there's no going back.

You're in luck because 3 of the only 9 or so US surgeons

performing hip resurfacings are in LA. see http://www.jri-oh.com/.

The bad news is that resurfacing is still investigational in the eyes

of the FDA, and many, if not most insurance carriers exclude

investigational devices. So a lot of surfacehippies have paid out of

pocket to the tune of + or - $17,500. It won't be until at least

the 1st quarter of 2005 before one resurfacing device becomes FDA

approved and the insurance issue is resolved.

There's an informal get together July 31 in Marina Del Rey, (see

the surfacehippy home page or login screen for details). You'll

get a ton of first hand info by attending. You'll also get

excellent information, especially on the insurance issue, from

calling Chuck at JRI, , ext 1888. Your PPO will

likely cover an initial JRI exam – something I'd also

recommend. In the meantime ask us any questions you have.

Dave

C+ Amstutz, 3.24.98, 2.12.04

> Hi to all,

>

> Just discovered this great site as I was looking for alternatives

to

> THR. I've order Peggy 's book, but am specifically

> interested in finding a good doctor in So. Cal doing resurfacing.

>

> I'm 58 and very tired of hurting and limping. Exercising has

become

> a real problem.

>

> I have scheduled my right hip THR for early October, but as one

> might expect, I want to be as sure as I can be that this is the

> right way to go.

>

> Any help with doctors, costs and insurance (United Health Care ppo)

> would be most appreciated.

>

> Many thanks,

>

> TL