New Thread with lots of questions

[kitesurfer]

I am a very active 76 yo male with considerable left hip pain and limited range of motion. Most troubling is the night pain which keeps me awake. I play a lot of tennis, golf and have been kitesurfing for 6 years. I still do these activities but I pay for it with lots of pain afterwards. I have just started my search for the "right" orthro surgeon. I live in Florida on the East coast above West Palm. Also, there seems to be so many choices about hardware. From what I know now I think I lean toward metal on metal with a big femoral head. Does any one know anything about tantalum alloy for replace hardware?
Thanks for your input and look forward to hearing from you...

 

[Josephine]

Hi, kitesurfer, and welcome.

All I can tell you is that the actual differences between prostheses are minimal. The products on the market at present are all tried and tested and the majority have been in use for years. I know the system in the US means you have to make a choice but I have been on record here several times as recommending that your concern be more about the surgeon you choose than the prosthesis.

What I mean by that is that any prosthesis is only as good as the surgeon that does the op. I would choose the surgeon first and let him decide which prosthesis was suitable for me - that, after all, is his skill. There are also certain questions I would always ask:-

1. How long have you been using this product?
2. How many do you perform annually (anything over 500 would be good)
3. What's your infection rate? (1-0.5% would be good)
4. What is your percentage of short term failures? (wound infections, dislocations, (unintentional) shaft penetration)
5. What is your percentage of long term failures (dislocations, loosenings, stem breakages)

Any surgeon who is a committed hip chap would have these figures readily at hand and should be happy to share them. On the other hand, a surgeon who looks surprised, indignant or waffles would find me very quickly exiting his office in search of a more user friendly medic!

Hope this helps.

 

[pebitpeb]

Wonderful helpful answers as always Josephine. You experience in this field is wonderful and I am greatful that we have someone here to help with moderating the forum.. I like that idea of the reputation being more important than the actual piece of prosthetic. pebitpeb
Paul