Recently spoke to my surgeon. He was very pleased with the surgery. He removed a significant amount of muscle tissue from around the joint. Bursa on right side of the hip (right hip) also was effected. He suspects this is were most of my pain was coming from. As he investigated the prosthetic cup, he found tunneling (erosion) behind it. It was still firm in the pelvis, but heading for loosening. He injected about 50cc of bone graft material into the crevices. All the damage of course is from the cobalt abrasion as result of the metal-on-metal joint.
My joint is modular. Surgeon was able to remove the Cobalt-Chromium-Nickel femoral head from the Titanium post. He replaced it with a ceramic femoral head. He explained that over the ceramic head was a plastic "swivel" (can't remember the technical name - but it is a harder plastic than what they had 10 years ago - when I had this metal-on-metal hip placed). This swivel rests in the old cup that remains in the pelvis. This cup has two layers, Titanium which the bone grows into, and on the joint side is the Cobalt-Chromium-Nickel layer which the plastic layer (over the ceramic ball joint) rests against. Right now, I must trust the doctor that this Cobalt layer will not give any trouble, since it rests against the plastic. Hope, hope, hope, hope ... with my real trust in Jesus.
That may be a relatively good written description of what is inside of me, for those who want to know.
For those who are still reading and are unaware of my background, I received a metal-on-metal joint 10 years ago. Pain began about 2 years ago with elevated Cobalt levels in the blood. Cobalt, when it abrades, tends to dissolve soft tissue and bone.
AND for those still reading and are afraid of upcoming surgery, I'm now a little over 24 hours post-surgery, writing this (thinking relatively clear). Yes, yesterday, I walked into the hospital (but in pain) and now I'm using a walker. I have a CECT system massaging my calves (but no TED socks or cumiden). I have controlled pain (with Oxycodine), BUT I have the hope of walking unaided in a few weeks with little to no pain! This is more than worth it! It is nearly a miracle! I'm off work longer than I like - but that's just the price to pay for freedom and a return to life. Fear is natural, but do not let fear turn you away from healing.
Go for it!