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1. Do all the reading and
research you can, comparing physical conditions
that warrant THR (total hip replacement) as
opposed to hip resurfacing.
2. Make a “Pros and Cons” chart, listing
everything you’ve tried to date and the
results. Then list other options (surgical or
otherwise) and pros and cons of each. Sometimes
seeing it in writing makes you see things you
missed before.
3. Research as extensively the physicians you’re
considering. There’s no shortage of orthopedic
surgeons around. There is a shortage of highly
qualified ones who have extensive experience at
hip resurfacing. Be sure to ask how many
resurfacings they have performed.
4. Contact several resurfacing physicians,
sending them your records, etc. I place a LOT
of stock in relationships. Your surgery will
have a much higher chance of success if you can
communicate well with the people treating you.
I went with Dr. Gross simply because, medical
qualifications being comparable, the office
staff in Los Angeles was abrupt at best, more
likely rude – and this was in the initial phone
contact. Lee Webb in Dr. Gross’s office the
polar opposite to this. In addition, I know
someone locally who had the procedure done by
Dr. Gross two years ago, and highly recommends
him.
5. Make sure you know exactly what your
insurance will cover, and what it will not. Dr.
Gross’s office took care of all that for me. If
you have to figure out the insurance yourself,
keep in mind that insurance reviewers are
trained to deny all claims the first time
around. Many have been told to do so for the
2nd or 3rd request. Ask to speak to the medical
director immediately, and file your appeals
repeatedly. Often they relent. They also
respond well to cost comparisons – THR vs. hip
resurfacing vs. “conservative therapies” (PT and
narcotics, in my experience, which do not help
but which DO cost more than one surgery!).
6. Make sure you understand each step of the
procedure, and your particular situation in
relation to it. For example, I have a spinal
stimulator implant, which obviously played a
role in my decision. Other factors include age,
physical shape, and attitude – the latter being
probably the strongest. To me, philosophically,
it made more sense to preserve as much of my
bone as possible, which was why I opted for the
resurfacing – despite 3 trusted local physicians
recommending a THR for me. You need to rely on
your gut feelings as well as the medical advice
you receive. You are the only person who can
“know” and feel your body from the inside out!
7. Once you make the decision to go ahead,
arrange to have someone who will be there with
you through the process, from decision making to
home health care. YOU WILL NEED SOMEONE TO GO
WITH YOU, WHEREVER YOU HAVE IT DONE, AND SOMEONE
TO CARE FOR YOU AT HOME FOR A BARE MINIMUM OF
3-4 DAYS, PREFERABLY A WEEK.
8. I didn’t do much research into the different
joints used (Birmingham, Biomet, etc.), the
cement, etc. Rather, I chose the physician, and
then went with his experience and preferences.
This worked with everything except the
anesthesia.
9. Research the type of anesthesia that will be
used in the surgery. I have had numerous
surgeries in my life and, until this one, NEVER
had adverse reactions. I did not realize that
Dr. Gross prefers to use a local epidural
cocktail IV sedation so that you’re unconscious
but able to breathe and move (sit up) on your
own, although you have no memory of it after the
surgery. He has found that this enhances the
healing rate of the joint. The drugs stay in
your system up to 36 hours, and their effects on
me were disastrous.
10. Make contacts on the yahoo surfacehippy
group. Three of us who were having the surgery
within 2 days of each other got together in
Columbia, SC. (through the generous support of
Pat Dukes!). Just having that human support is
helpful.
11. It is quite easy to become overwhelmed by
the plethora of information available. Research
enough to make an informed decision, and then go
with it. Otherwise you’ll drive yourself nuts. |
