Any orthopaedic surgeons in the house?

[bob1179]

I don't usually venture into this part of PH, in fact, I think it may be the very first time I have ever posted in this bit (I'm not that 'healthy'!).

Anyway, I am doing quite a bit of research into total hip replacements at the moment and was wondering if there is anybody here who actually does it for a living or can point me in the direction of a very good specialist.

Any replies would be very gratefully received and of course, there is always the usual virtual pint in it for anybody who can help!

Cheers,

Bob

[BlackVanDyke]

There's a thread on here somewhere with a few PHers who have had or are going to be having hip replacements, one lad had his just last week - might be a good starting point!

[bob1179]

Cheers for the help BVD, I shall have a bit of a dig through the forum and see what I find.

I didn't realise it had been covered. I'm after as much info as I can get and any snippets are always gratefully received.

[Dr John]

Where are you based?

[bob1179]

Dr John said:

Where are you based?

Hi Dr John (sorry for not replying sooner), I am based in north Lancashire though I am currently working in Russia. I am home in October and I'm looking to getting this sorted out as soon as possible so it doesn't affect my work too much.

[duncancallum]

Bob,

I'm in a similar position I am 28 and waiting for my surgeon to give the go ahead.

I broke my hip mountain biking and it's been screwed back together however the joints knackered.

I'm under the care of Wrightington in Parbold.

[bob1179]

duncancallum said:

Bob,

I'm in a similar position I am 28 and waiting for my surgeon to give the go ahead.

I broke my hip mountain biking and it's been screwed back together however the joints knackered.

I'm under the care of Wrightington in Parbold.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for getting in touch, I'm sorry to hear about your problem, at least I know there are other people of a similar age to me in a similar situation. It means there is hope for us both!

Has your Consultant discussed what type of hip you may be getting?

[duncancallum]

Hi

My consultant is loath to replace it just yet, and his exact words were "not untill it looks like a dog's been chewing on it."

However Im wanting to get it done as its really impacting my life. I cant go fell walking/cycling and my othe hobbies are pratting around with cars and its taken all the enjoyment out of it for me.

Cheers

Duncan

[The_Doc]

bob1179 said:

Dr John said:

Where are you based?

Hi Dr John (sorry for not replying sooner), I am based in north Lancashire though I am currently working in Russia. I am home in October ....

I'm an orthopaedic surgeon.

When you say North Lancashire, are you a million miles from Wrightington (Between Chorley and Wigan)?
Because, the father of hip replacement surgery, and the pioneer of the technique for planet Earth started his unit there. Chap called John Charnley (now dead). The Wrightington unit is regarded as one of the best, if not the best in the world.

http://www.wiganleigh.nhs.uk/Internet/Consultants/...

Don't get hung up on which componants they pick for you. Just get a chap in a good unit who does at least 150/year.

[bob1179]

The_Doc said:

bob1179 said:

Dr John said:

Where are you based?

Hi Dr John (sorry for not replying sooner), I am based in north Lancashire though I am currently working in Russia. I am home in October ....

I'm an orthopaedic surgeon.

When you say North Lancashire, are you a million miles from Wrightington (Between Chorley and Wigan)?
Because, the father of hip replacement surgery, and the pioneer of the technique for planet Earth started his unit there. Chap called John Charnley (now dead). The Wrightington unit is regarded as one of the best, if not the best in the world.

http://www.wiganleigh.nhs.uk/Internet/Consultants/...

Don't get hung up on which componants they pick for you. Just get a chap in a good unit who does at least 150/year.

Thanks for the information, I'm only about 50 minutes from Wigan and Chorley. I shall look them up.

[bull996]

What the Doc said ^^^^^

I buy these implants and am in the trusts with surgeons quite a bit and the general concensus (sp?) is that the person who fits it is MUCH more important than the implant.

[bob1179]

bull996 said:

What the Doc said ^^^^^

I buy these implants and am in the trusts with surgeons quite a bit and the general concensus (sp?) is that the person who fits it is MUCH more important than the implant.

That is interesting, it will be interesting to see what the consultant suggests.

[geminitrain]

Sorry to bring a negative but my Mum has had 3 hip replacements and had a birmingham hip fitted the first time and has been to hell and back. The first was in 2003 and is now on crutches and wheel chair at times for the rest of her life. This was done at wrightington and although not naming the doctors who carried it out they are rated as the best 2 there i'm not saying things go smooth all the time but the way she has been fobbed off is a disgrace they tell her it's soft tissue damage due to the numerous operations to rectify this. She was without a hip for 5 months because of infection due to them and it's now come to light that there was a problem with replacement hips just google hip joints johnson and johnson it will give you another view of how things are carried out and how people turn blind eyes. I know my post is a negative one but i see the pain she's in everyday and it is due to cock ups made by surgeons and they messed up so bad it can't be fixed so she has to live with it but one thing i will say is that the hospital does have a good reputation generally and the nurses and physio work there ass off just wish the surgeons had took more care.

[The_Doc]

As I tell all my knee replacements:

"If we do this operation on 100 patients, 90 have a excellent result, 5 have a small problem and a mixed result and 5 have a significant complication which can make them worse than before. Such as: deep infection, thrombosis, residual pain, nerve injury, early loosening etc"

Those are internationally reflected figures seen in all units.

Source: AAOS, BHS, BASK, etc

[duncancallum]

Hi

I had a previous post up ages ago and The Doc answered me and sent me a pm

I would like to thank him again and just say the man knows his onions as my mad uncle used to say.

My consultant has moved to Wrightington and transferred me there with him. I'm due another trip soon for a checkup so will have an up date.

I'm in Bolton where in Lancashire are you coming back to?

[bob1179]

Thanks for the replies, I actually worked with a team developing replacement hip and knee joints during my final year of university. Our primary area of research was the main cause of early replacement joint failure, especially in younger and more active patients. It was fascinating stuff when you really got stuck into it all.

Anyway, I have now fired off an email to the consultant at Wrightington so I shall see what the response is. I will keep you informed as this is a bit of a voyage into the unknown for me. I knew I would need a new hip, but not for at least another ten to fifteen years.

[bull996]

geminitrain said:

Sorry to bring a negative but my Mum has had 3 hip replacements and had a birmingham hip fitted the first time and has been to hell and back. The first was in 2003 and is now on crutches and wheel chair at times for the rest of her life. This was done at wrightington and although not naming the doctors who carried it out they are rated as the best 2 there i'm not saying things go smooth all the time but the way she has been fobbed off is a disgrace they tell her it's soft tissue damage due to the numerous operations to rectify this. She was without a hip for 5 months because of infection due to them and it's now come to light that there was a problem with replacement hips just google hip joints johnson and johnson it will give you another view of how things are carried out and how people turn blind eyes. I know my post is a negative one but i see the pain she's in everyday and it is due to cock ups made by surgeons and they messed up so bad it can't be fixed so she has to live with it but one thing i will say is that the hospital does have a good reputation generally and the nurses and physio work there ass off just wish the surgeons had took more care.

The J&J issue was with the ASR hip which have been withdrawn and the aftermath is being dealt with.
Its unlucky she is having such issues, they are very rare.