THR Great News--for me--Hospital for Special Surgery...

Mersada

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Now accepts my insurance. They are number one in the nation for Orthopedic Surgery. I had corrective surgery there as a child to even out the difference in the length of my legs. It works for a little while, but now my left side is an inch shorter from the hip wear and tear, I guess. I have been researching their doctors and found one I may want to have my 6th consultation with (I guess I can't make up my mind). His name is Dr. David Mayman and the website reports that he does 700 surgeries a year. That seems like a lot to me, I don't know. Also he uses the robotic device to perform the surgeries. I read that this makes the placement of the replacement hip more precise and since I have hip dysplasia, I think it would be an important factor.

Has anyone had robotic assisted surgery and what was your experience with it? Also, does anyone know of this doctor?
Any other you would recommend from this hospital?? I won't give up till I find the perfect fit.

I have 7 weeks of time accumulated from work that I can take for my recovery time, so I'm getting close to being able to do it--although, I hope to accumulate atleast 8 weeks. Also, my short term disability insurance existing condition waiting period is up in May so, I will be planning on having my replacement fall 2020 or spring 2021...I don't want to risk winter weather issues.

Any input on this doctor, or what I should ask him would be greatly appreciated.
 
Wonderful news for you, @Mersada, you have been so patient and determined..
Hopefully someone on here will know this surgeon and give positive feedback. I wonder if @Jamie will know his name?
 
I had Mako robotic assist. It was my only THR so I have nothing to compare it to.

I can paraphrase the discussion with my surgeon. He has been an OS for over 30 years and described how things have been done and how they have changed throughout his career during the initial consultation.

When I asked about Mako he said he'd been doing it a few years. The main advantage was getting the trial components correct the first time most of the time. Another is that they have visual reference on the computer screen for angle and depth while reaming. If they are off too much in angle or if they go past reaming depth the computer will shut the reamer off. It also helps them to know when the acetabular shell is properly aligned and impacted into the hip socket.

There are some very good videos on you tube that show the surgery and have input from the surgeon on the robotic assist (some of the videos are better than others, the one with the UK doctor is the best imo). They also show how the leg and hip data are measured and verified. I have an extra scar at the top of my pelvis due to placement of pins for the measuring reflectors.

Good luck with number 6!
 
Congratulations on this big step forward! I don't know of this particular surgeon at HSS, but there are so many doctors there, I probably don't know about a lot of them...:heehee:. The surgeon I've recommended there for people needing primary or revision hips is Dr. Padgett. You might also check him out. You're right that 700 replacements are a lot in a year, but I noted on Dr. Mayman's bio that it is actually 700 joint replacements (sometimes surgeons will say "surgeries" and include other types of procedures).

The robotics offers a great tool for surgeons, so having that is going to be a plus for you. Even with the robotics, it's still important to have a very experienced surgeon because there is more to the surgery than just what the robotic guidance does. You are wise to have searched out a good doctor.

Since I don't have Dr. Mayman on my list, I'll be interested to know how things go if you do decide he's your guy.
 
Congratulations on your insurance covering The Hospital for Special Surgery!

I do know The Hospital for Special Surgery has at least 3 Mako Robots.

My surgery was a Mako Robot surgery and so far I have been very pleased with the results. @BruceH did a great job explaining it. The precision was important to me, for my situation.
 
Mersada, I’m so very happy for you. We hear great things about HSS all the time. You’re lucky you’re so close. I wish you all the best with your next consultation and hope the 6th is the charm. Settling on a surgeon is a big piece of the equation. Please keep us posted and have a peaceful week. :)
@Mersada
 
Good news on the insurance.

I met with Dr. Mayman and had chosen him for surgery. At the last minute I decided to stay local in Philadelphia. I changed my mind strictly for logistical reasons and because I found a local surgeon that I liked as much as I liked Dr. Mayman.

The 700 robotic assisted surgeries a year--that refers to total joints, knee replacements and hip replacements. Mayman uses the robot for both. My surgeon does about 350 hips and 350 knees a year ... about 700 in total. So, Mayman's numbers are in line with most high-volume joint replacement specialists.

Mayman is probably the HSS surgeon who is most experienced with the robot. Yes the research shows in some studies that using a robotic arm (and there's a CAT scan involved ahead of time) can help surgeons place the device in the ideal zone at a higher rate than not using the robot. What the research hasn't found is any real clinical advantage after surgery.

The key point is that the robotic assistance works for Mayman ... or more accurately, Dr. Mayman is good at using the robot, which like any technology, requires a learning curve and doesn't implement itself. (Back to the BS point that it's the skill and judgment of the surgeon that matters the most.)

I really liked that Mayman, in addition to being warm and up on the research, was quite optimistic about activity after joint replacement--as is my surgeon. He was in the news recently because the Today show anchor, Al Roker, had hip replacement (and an earlier knee replacement) by Dr. Mayman.
 
:hi:
So happy to hear you will be getting this scheduled where you feel confident...
Hope you have a good week.
 
Thank you all for your well wishes and input. I am going to wait till the current crisis situation is over before I schedule an appointment, obviously.

I work for the department of social services, and we have no shortage of clients, right now. I'm hoping all this contact with clients doesn't bring us this virus. We are considered emergency workers, so we are encouraged to come to work. Hope this goes away soon. The aftermath is going to be crazy with people losing jobs and such. I imagine we are going to be crazy busy through the summer. They are working out ways of people applying for public assistance by phone....hope that goes well. We shall see.

I will fill you in on how my 6th consultation goes, when it happens. Thanks again for your input and advice. Dr. Mayman may be it for me...we will see. HIs reviews are great.
 
Stay safe and well, Mersada. Your area has been hit hard. I‘ve watched your governors press conferences the past few days. Uncertain times. It all feels surreal.
@Mersada
 
I think of you often while on the forum, Mersada, knowing you’re in the epi-center of a lot of this. I would imagine life feels surreal in an area so hard hit.
Take good care, be safe and stay well.
@Mersada
 
Thank you for thinking of me @Layla . It does feel surreal. One of our managers went home with a sore throat on Thursday, he didn't come in on Friday. Hope it's not this virus, that would be too close for comfort.

The numbers are spiking in my area, too. We are way over a 1,000 infected and my area is Staten Island which is 6 by 17 mile island, population of about 500,000. We are not that big. It probably has the potential to spread real fast here.

I haven't had any client contact. I have been doing phone interviews, mostly people who are on the waiting list for unemployment insurance. The applications are coming in fast and furious, we are pretty behind. We also have some staff who are not coming in so, we are short staffed.

I can't wait till it's over but, I don't think that it's going to be any time soon, we haven't hit a peak, yet. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Our governer has us on lock down until atleast April 15th...the president is now saying April 30th for NY. We shall see.

Again, thanks for thinking of me.
 
Unsettling times indeed...
A prayer for protection that you stay well, Mersada :prayer:
 
Yes, I am nearby and our numbers are increasing, too. It's distressing, for sure.
I did some shopping today and stocked up on things that won't perish quickly.. I'd like to think that I have us set up for at least ten days without needing to go anywhere. I avoided the stores over the weekend, but there were still more people in the stores than I expected. Maybe they had the same thoughts as me.

You be careful @Mersada, I know you will be. :friends: You are helping a lot of stressed out people.. God bless you for that.
 
Thank you @CricketHip -- last time I went to the supermarket at 2am....lol. No crowd. We have a 24 hour shoprite by me. I did get stopped by the police enroute because he said I rolled through a stop sign. Thankfully, he let me off with a warning. I guess they look to pull over anyone at that hour, they are probably bored.

Hope you got everything you needed and can stay put now,

I get meal delivered to me from cleaneatz, they are great and convenient. So, I dont need to go to the supermarket that often.

I found out one of the supervisors at my job tested positive....she is home resting and I didn't have any contact with her, so I think I am ok. I still feel good. Hope it continues that way, I really dont want to experience this virus any time soon.

Be safe and stay well.
 
Thank you for working so hard to get people unemployment or whatever other aid they can qualify for. You are also one of the heroes during this emergency. Take care of yourself and stay safe.
 
I found out one of the supervisors at my job tested positive....she is home resting and I didn't have any contact with her, so I think I am ok

Hoping you remain safe and well, Mersada
Take care! :friends:
 
Thank you @Layla ...I hope you are staying well, also.

They finally figured out a way for us to work remotely so we are alternating 2 weeks at the office and two weeks home.

They just announced NY will be on shut down till atleast May 15th.

My 40 year old niece had it and she recovered fine. I don't get why some people recover and some dont. Pretty scary.

The lady at work recovered, fine, as well.

Thank you again, for thinking of me.

I guess I won't have my 6th consultation any time soon...but, that's ok, I'm deffinitely in no rush.
 

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