Need advice and suggestions of OS in Boston or the North East

[Guest guest]

Hi Folks,

this is my first post to the surfacehippy group. I

have been reading the posts for a few weeks now and

have learnt a great deal - thank you. I am a 48 year

old male with bone on bone in the right hip. I can't

walk for more than 10-15 minutes with out hobbling and

plenty of pain - in the hip, down the front of the

quadriceps and behind the knee cap. I heard about the

BHR while in Australia and mentioned the proceedure to

both OS (both in their sixties) I have seen in Boston

when I live. The first OS dismissed the BHR as a

" failed procedure in the US " . The second OS said " it

may be an attractive option for you but I don't know

anyone in the North East who does it " . Reading the

posts over the past few weeks along with other research has

convinced me of the value of the procedure - I would

love to take long walks and play tennis again. I have

two questions I would really appreciate help on:

1. Can you recommend doctors in the North East I can

consult.

2. How to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield MA for

coverage.

Cheers ... .

[Guest guest]

I should have also mentioned that you should contact Chuck at

JRI who is very well versed with the insurance related issues and

worked with BCBS MA on my behalf. He was very gracious with his

time early in the process and walked me through everything in detail

to expedite getting my life back.

Best.......

> Hi Folks,

>

> this is my first post to the surfacehippy group. I

> have been reading the posts for a few weeks now and

> have learnt a great deal - thank you. I am a 48 year

> old male with bone on bone in the right hip. I can't

> walk for more than 10-15 minutes with out hobbling and

> plenty of pain - in the hip, down the front of the

> quadriceps and behind the knee cap. I heard about the

> BHR while in Australia and mentioned the proceedure to

> both OS (both in their sixties) I have seen in Boston

> when I live. The first OS dismissed the BHR as a

> " failed procedure in the US " . The second OS said " it

> may be an attractive option for you but I don't know

> anyone in the North East who does it " . Reading the

> posts over the past few weeks along with other research has

> convinced me of the value of the procedure - I would

> love to take long walks and play tennis again. I have

> two questions I would really appreciate help on:

>

> 1. Can you recommend doctors in the North East I can

> consult.

>

> 2. How to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield MA for

> coverage.

>

> Cheers ... .

[Guest guest]

:

Welcome!

Check out Brewster's web site http://www.activejoints.com. He

has a pretty comprehensive list of the surgeons who work with

resurfacing. I thought I saw one in NJ and there are two in Baltimore

(I realize that's not quite the Northeast but close).

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> Hi Folks,

>

> this is my first post to the surfacehippy group. I

> have been reading the posts for a few weeks now and

> have learnt a great deal - thank you. I am a 48 year

> old male with bone on bone in the right hip. I can't

> walk for more than 10-15 minutes with out hobbling and

> plenty of pain - in the hip, down the front of the

> quadriceps and behind the knee cap. I heard about the

> BHR while in Australia and mentioned the proceedure to

> both OS (both in their sixties) I have seen in Boston

> when I live. The first OS dismissed the BHR as a

> " failed procedure in the US " . The second OS said " it

> may be an attractive option for you but I don't know

> anyone in the North East who does it " . Reading the

> posts over the past few weeks along with other research has

> convinced me of the value of the procedure - I would

> love to take long walks and play tennis again. I have

> two questions I would really appreciate help on:

>

> 1. Can you recommend doctors in the North East I can

> consult.

>

> 2. How to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield MA for

> coverage.

>

> Cheers ... .

[Guest guest]

:

Welcome!

Check out Brewster's web site http://www.activejoints.com. He

has a pretty comprehensive list of the surgeons who work with

resurfacing. I thought I saw one in NJ and there are two in Baltimore

(I realize that's not quite the Northeast but close).

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> Hi Folks,

>

> this is my first post to the surfacehippy group. I

> have been reading the posts for a few weeks now and

> have learnt a great deal - thank you. I am a 48 year

> old male with bone on bone in the right hip. I can't

> walk for more than 10-15 minutes with out hobbling and

> plenty of pain - in the hip, down the front of the

> quadriceps and behind the knee cap. I heard about the

> BHR while in Australia and mentioned the proceedure to

> both OS (both in their sixties) I have seen in Boston

> when I live. The first OS dismissed the BHR as a

> " failed procedure in the US " . The second OS said " it

> may be an attractive option for you but I don't know

> anyone in the North East who does it " . Reading the

> posts over the past few weeks along with other research has

> convinced me of the value of the procedure - I would

> love to take long walks and play tennis again. I have

> two questions I would really appreciate help on:

>

> 1. Can you recommend doctors in the North East I can

> consult.

>

> 2. How to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield MA for

> coverage.

>

> Cheers ... .

[Guest guest]

, :

From talking to Dr. Gross and his surgical nurse, Lee Webb, their

typical schedule is 5 or 6 surgeries a day Monday, Wednesday and

Thursday. Many of these are resurfs (but not all). They book two

operating rooms at Lexington Medical Center and just switch back and

forth all day - stopping after each surgery only long enough to go out

and talk to the families before going into the other OR and starting

the next one. I don't know how they do it but they both have

incredible energy.

(47)

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> :

>

> I am a fellow Bostonian and had the same experience with several

> prominent orthopedic surgeons in Boston. I too was bone on bone in

> my left hip. After reading this board for over a year and

> corresponding with a number of the members, I decided that

> resurfacing was the way to go. Unfortunately, there was nobody doing

> this procedure in Boston (and to my knowledge there still isn't). I

> considered Dr. Amstutz in California (a pioneer in this field) and

> Dr. Gross in South Carolina. Ultimately I settled on the latter and

> was fortunate to be selected as a patient. I had my hip resurfaced

> two weeks ago today and it feels fabulous!! Another Bostonian by the

> name of had his hip done by Dr Amstutz several months before

> me and he has had similar excellent results, I believe. Yes, it

> means a plane ticket and a somewhat uncomfortable trip back home

> with a swollen backside, but Dr's Amstutz and Gross have

> collectively done hundreds of these procedures. In fact, Dr. Gross

> cranked out FIVE on the day I was there.

>

> The insurance situation is challenging. If you let the physician

> handle the details, you may have the best luck. Make sure to let the

> physician get you pre-approved.

>

> Good luck with your decision!!

>

> Jim

> RC2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04

[Guest guest]

I am sxcheduled for bilateral resurfacing in Baltimore with Dr. Mont

both he and Dr. Gross have many patients on this site but North

Carolina was a stretch for me.......

> :

>

> I am a fellow Bostonian and had the same experience with several

> prominent orthopedic surgeons in Boston. I too was bone on bone in

> my left hip. After reading this board for over a year and

> corresponding with a number of the members, I decided that

> resurfacing was the way to go. Unfortunately, there was nobody

doing

> this procedure in Boston (and to my knowledge there still isn't). I

> considered Dr. Amstutz in California (a pioneer in this field) and

> Dr. Gross in South Carolina. Ultimately I settled on the latter and

> was fortunate to be selected as a patient. I had my hip resurfaced

> two weeks ago today and it feels fabulous!! Another Bostonian by

the

> name of had his hip done by Dr Amstutz several months before

> me and he has had similar excellent results, I believe. Yes, it

> means a plane ticket and a somewhat uncomfortable trip back home

> with a swollen backside, but Dr's Amstutz and Gross have

> collectively done hundreds of these procedures. In fact, Dr. Gross

> cranked out FIVE on the day I was there.

>

> The insurance situation is challenging. If you let the physician

> handle the details, you may have the best luck. Make sure to let

the

> physician get you pre-approved.

>

> Good luck with your decision!!

>

> Jim

> RC2K Dr. Gross 6-23-04