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Hip resurfacing

Posted by dica @dica, Apr 5 2:36pm

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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Cindy | @cmarsh | Apr 8 6:46am

I had the Birmingham Resurfacing done and it served me well for 17 years. I had to have Girdlestone Procedure done in 2022 due to infection. I would advise you to get consult with Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Revisions as soon as possible. I wish you all the best.....Cindy

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2 replies
1qsgrmfnz | @1qsgrmfnz | Apr 9 1:23pm
In reply to @cmarsh "I had the Birmingham Resurfacing done and it served me well for 17 years. I had..." + (show)
@cmarsh

I had the Birmingham Resurfacing done and it served me well for 17 years. I had to have Girdlestone Procedure done in 2022 due to infection. I would advise you to get consult with Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Revisions as soon as possible. I wish you all the best.....Cindy

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Hello Cindy thanks for the heads up about getting in touch with a orthopedic surgeon who does revisions! I will be getting that information ASAP

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dica | @dica | Apr 9 2:20pm
In reply to @cmarsh "I had the Birmingham Resurfacing done and it served me well for 17 years. I had..." + (show)
@cmarsh

I had the Birmingham Resurfacing done and it served me well for 17 years. I had to have Girdlestone Procedure done in 2022 due to infection. I would advise you to get consult with Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Revisions as soon as possible. I wish you all the best.....Cindy

Jump to this post

Thank you Cindy, I am waiting for a ct scan in May and will see my orthopedic Surgeon hopefully soon after that. I'm just not sure if he has done Revisions before which is my worry. How did your revision go? Is it worse than the first surgery. I have osteoarthritis, I had 1 hip resurfaced since I was so young, one complete hip replacement and two shoulder replacements . I am very worried if all of those start giving me problems but for now I have to take care of this issue. It is causing to much Chromium in my blood which in return is causing my Hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar. Thank you kindly for your response.

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1 reply
Cindy | @cmarsh | Apr 10 5:06pm
In reply to @dica "Thank you Cindy, I am waiting for a ct scan in May and will see my..." + (show)
@dica

Thank you Cindy, I am waiting for a ct scan in May and will see my orthopedic Surgeon hopefully soon after that. I'm just not sure if he has done Revisions before which is my worry. How did your revision go? Is it worse than the first surgery. I have osteoarthritis, I had 1 hip resurfaced since I was so young, one complete hip replacement and two shoulder replacements . I am very worried if all of those start giving me problems but for now I have to take care of this issue. It is causing to much Chromium in my blood which in return is causing my Hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar. Thank you kindly for your response.

Jump to this post

Hi....I never had a revision done. In 2022, my surgery was done on an emergency basis due to infection and sepsis that I was not aware of until a few days before. The plan was to put antibiotic spacer in for 3 months, then revision with a traditional hip replacement, however, the infection had done so much damage to bone and muscle, they couldn't put one in. The surgeon had to decide at the time to amputate my leg or just remove the Birmingham Hip along with the dead, necrotic bone and muscles. I no longer have a hip joint and although I have to use a walker or crutches to walk, I have a pretty full life and no pain, except for generalized osteoarthritis pain, which I take NSAID for daily. Girdlestone is a salvage procedure named after a Dr Girdlestone if you want to Google it. I'm 72 and live in the USA. If you have a Facebook acct, there are 2 groups I belong to that are helpful if you want to join. First one is "Hip Replacement Complication Forum" (there are over 2000 members) and the other is "Girdlestone Procedure Outcomes" which was just started in 2025 and has 29 members. The first group especially may be very helpful if you are having issues and will be going through a Revision. Wishing you the very best! Cindy

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