New Guy - Help w/Conserve Plus

July 7, 2004

Ok help me out. I'm 52, I need a new hip, and I've been researching

hip replacement info for months. I finally decided I should cancel

my appt. I have scheduled in Sept. to have the traditional

metal/plastic hip replacement done in Grand Rapids, MI. After I

scheduled for the metal/plastic, I did more research and convinced

myself I should find a doctor in West Michigan that does the Conserve

metal/metal, due to it's resistance to dislocation. Then I stumbled

across the Conserve Plus and am now considering getting referred to

Cleveland, assuming my HMO approves an out of state THR. Three

questions: 1)How is everyone been doing with this type of surgery? I

read a spooky story on the web about a patient who after a year ended

up having to go the Conserve route after the C+ came loose. Is the

consensus that the C+ is a better solution since you can always do

the Conserve later? How much of an issue is it that it may come

loose due to tissue death under the cap? I really like the idea of

having a solid 2nd option to fall back on if the resurfacing route

didn't work out. Is there any life expectancy to the C+ or is it too

soon to tell? 2)are there any issues with gettting an out of state

referral approved. I was told to code it as a THR and it would not

be an issue. 3)has anyone found any statistically significant

evidence that the metal/metal could cause some type of cancer long

term? Hope I'm not breaking protocol by asking so many questions on

my first post, but I want to pick the best possible solution and I'm

ready to schedule in Cleveland, assuming I can get in, if the

feedback is very positive. OK, that's a lot more than 3 questions,

so I'll buy you a beer if you're over in Muskegon sometime, but may

have to set a limit if you all decide to show up. Thanks in advance

for your help and insights.

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