A picture is worth a thousand words! A sketch by Patricia Walter illustrates a hip resurfacing device on the left compared to a total hip replacement device on the right. Which bone sparing device looks more natural and bone conserving to you? According to medical studies, a hip resurfacing provides a more natural gait and loads the hip more naturally than a total hip replacement.
Selection of a surgeon is a personal choice. It is a choice that makes you feel confident that your surgery will go well, that your surgeon has a good bedside manner and you can ask questions anytime you need answers.
When buying real estate the old saying about what is important is “Location, Location and Location.” In many people’s minds the most important factor in choosing a surgeon for hip resurfacing is “Experience, Experience and Experience.” I realize that every hip resurfacing surgeon has to start somewhere to do his first operation, but I feel, in layman’s terms, that hip … Read the rest
I often have people write to me personally for advice and information. I have been researching hip resurfacing since 2005. I had my hip resurfaced March 15, 2006 with Dr. De Smet of Belgium. I have formed many opinions along the way. They are only my opinions from what I have read. I am not trained in any medical field, I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession. So everything I write about is my opinion based on information I have read.
[catlist name=articles-by-patricia-walter orderby=title order=asc numberposts=500]… Read the rest
What Equipment Will I Need At Home After Surgery?
Everyone has slightly different needs. There are some basic items almost everyone needs and then there are things that some people want and others just don’t need.
Must Haves:
Crutches – Normally crutches are supplied by the hospital. I used elbow crutches and they are much easier to use than normal under the arm crutches. Overseas hospitals use elbow crutches while US hospital still normally use old fashioned under the arm crutches. If you have to be on crutches for a long time, I would suggest getting a pair of elbow … Read the rest
Today (March 15, 2016) is the 10th anniversary of my BHR (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Device by Smith and Nephew) surgery. My BHR is still going strong with no problems at all. It feels just like my other unoperated hip – normal.
I traveled to Dr. De Smet in Belgium in 2006 because there were not many experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the US. Also, I did not have health insurance and could not afford surgery in the US. Dr. De Smet had performed about 2000 surgeries at that time and was used by many hip patients in the US. … Read the rest
Today (March 15, 2016) is the 10th anniversary of my BHR (Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Device by Smith and Nephew) surgery. My BHR is still going strong with no problems at all. It feels just like my other unoperated hip – normal.
I traveled to Dr. De Smet in Belgium in 2006 because there were not many experienced hip resurfacing surgeons in the US. Also, I did not have health insurance and could not afford surgery in the US. Dr. De Smet had performed about 2000 surgeries at that time and was used by many hip patients in the US. … Read the rest
You should ask your doctor as many of the questions that seem appropriate for your situation. Your doctor should be patient, willing to talk about what to expect and answer your questions. If he isn’t, I would try to find a doctor that is open and helpful. There are many wonderful hip resurfacing surgeons that will answer any question you have. Having all your questions answered will give you peace of mind and will make your surgery much less stressful.
| Will you perform my hip resurfacing personally or have an assistant do the surgery? |
| How many resurfacings have you |
What Equipment Will I Need At Home After Surgery?
Everyone has slightly different needs. There are some basic items almost everyone needs and then there are things that some people want and others just don’t need.
Must Haves:
Crutches – Normally crutches are supplied by the hospital. I used elbow crutches and they are much easier to use than normal under the arm crutches. Overseas hospitals use elbow crutches while US hospital still normally use old fashioned under the arm crutches. If you have to be on crutches for a long time, I would suggest getting a pair of elbow … Read the rest
My hip hurt, my body hurt and I needed a new hip. I had fought hip pain for almost ten years because I just did not want “half my leg bone cut off” to get a new hip replacement. It just did not make sense to me that doctors were still sawing off a big hunk of a femur bone to replace a hip. We sent men to the moon, had nuclear power and every kind of electronic device imaginable, so why are our operations still old-fashioned?
I asked myself that question quite often. One evening while visiting our local … Read the rest
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