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Hip resurfacing
I had a hip resurfacing 21 years ago. It is now causing me pain. I was sent for bloodwork and it came back with high Chromium levels. That is a sign the prosthesis is deteriorating and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what probably is my next step. I have heard of revision surgery but apparently that is not as easy as the first time. Anyone out there have any idea how that works.
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@stormlight I don't know the technical differences. All I know is that when I was dealing with the situation, the doctor and lab both explained that you need the same type each time because the measurement standards are different. My doctors and endocrinologist who took over my post surgical care preferred the serum cobalt test. That was 11 years ago, standards may have changed.
@bug3 I am looking into switching my insurance from a HMO to a PPO so that I will have the freedom to find a revision doctor. Not one I have found so far takes HMO insurance. And you are right, most surgeons don't want to try and fix another surgeons mistakes, which is why we need a revision specialist....and probably a good attorney! Good luck to you!!
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2 Reactions@bweaver2025 ty so much. I'm still hunting. Went to see a so called revision surgeon buy got the impression he had limited experience. Too many ortho are all about sports medicine as it is a better source of $$ I'm not sure where to look anymore and running out of options. May head back to Cleveland Clinic as the closest medical center. Take care and let me know when you get the help you need.
@bug3
Jimmy Chow replaced my hip and three days ago my right knee. I had zero pain from the hip and minor pain from the knee. I was prescribed Oxy both times and never used any.
Dr. Chow is a revision surgeon. About 20% of his work is revisions. You need someone like Dr. Chow. For my knee which was bone on bone and badly misaligned so I had severe heel pain as well, he did a subvastus method (under the muscle and tendon instead of cutting them and later repairing them), used no tourniquet, used a CORI robot to assist him, put in a Journey II bicruciate retained implant (a big deal...instead of cutting the PCL and ACL ligaments, he saved both and protected them with the new implant) and did a functional alignment.
Dr. Chow has an international practice. I tell you about him because this is the type of surgeon you need.
If you are developing a metal allergy there are implants that are made of other material (e.g., oxidized zirconium). You need to do as much research as you can to find a really good revision surgeon (just because someone says he does revisions doesn't mean he does them well or often).
Good luck.
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1 ReactionI found this list of hip revision surgeons, by state in the USA. This list is compiled by attornies, so I'm sure it's not comprehensive, but its a start.
https://www.mctlaw.com/joint-replacement/hip-revision-surgeons/
and AI says...
To find hip revision surgeons in the US, check specialized lists from sources like mctlaw and Newsweek's "America's Leading Doctors," search for surgeons affiliated with top orthopedic hospitals such as HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery (< ) and Johns Hopkins Medicine, or use hospital finder tools and professional organization websites to locate specialists by specialty and location.
Good luck everyone.
Just wish I could find someone closer. I live in KY and bombed out in
finding a surgeon I need. So I went to the Cincinnati area and saw a guy
seeking to line his pockets. He wanted to run all the tests again.
So in order to get someone with revision experience I will continue looking
northward. I am so glad your surgery was successful and easier on you than
expected. Take it easy as you heal.