Birmingham Hip Resurfacing now need Total Hip

Posted , 8 users are following.

I have two Birmingham Hip Resurfacings (BHR), the first 13 years ago, aged 33 the next 8 years ago. The newest one has been hurting & I have just been advised that for some reason BHR's were not very success in women, but do tend to be in men, typical that I am a woman!!

The metal rubs together & you can end up with some debris, which rubs away at the tissue & the hip moves, which mine has done. My blood test show that I do have high levels of metal. I believe a lot of women were called back for yearly blood tests, unfortunately I was missed off this list. 

I've been advised the only solution is a full hip replacement & I wondered if anyone else has gone through this?

Many thanks

Donna

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Donna

    This issue hit the news several years ago. I underwent a revision because of raised heavy metal levels in my blood, though it turned out not to be the cause of my particular problems. 

    I think you should do more research on this, as its my understanding that people with this prosthesis should  have been recalled and had revision surgery. 

    There have been 'class action' legal compensation claims, mostly in US, but some here. 

    Id contact your hospital to find out exactly which model you have and further information. Do some research and go from there. 

    Crazy that these things aren't manufactured in more sizes. I was told the issue was more prevalent in 'small woman', which is me - 5' and 7st. 

    Good luck!

  • Posted

    Hi I had a hip replacement in 2008 due to an accident and I fractured my hip.

    In 2012 I heard of the reports in the media about the dangers of metal on metal implants which is what I had. I requested tests and I was found to have a very high level of metal ions in my blood a pseudo tumour in my leg and an area of dead tissue in my hip. In May 2012 I had a hip revision operation .It was a complete success and I am fine now

    Hope that this helps.

  • Posted

    Hi Donna

    Very moved by your message

    I understand the success rate wasn't that good for men either...and the op was not continued.

    So not sure where you go but fond thoughts for you and your hips

    Warmly

    Mic

    X

    PS. My Birmingham hip...2002 at NOC in Oxford...is still excellent. As is my THR at Exeter this year!

  • Posted

    Many thanks to you all for your replies. I will let you know how I get on & wish you all well :o)

    Donna

  • Posted

    May suggest that you contact Dr Laskowski? He has performed over 500 BHRs apparently with only 6 revisions. He seems to be very knowledgable. You'll find him on YouTube. Just type Birmingham Hip Resufracing Poland

  • Posted

    I was one of the metal on metal patients will the recalled implant. High levels of chromium and cobalt in blood tests . Also small,metal area causing psuedu tumors, corrosion, swollen lymph nodes causing the stem to break the femur implant to loosen and a lot of pain as well as a hairline fracture in the femurfrom loose implant. All from Mon M. It's been known since the 1960's that MonM implants were not a option.The extra metal,on metal parts of the THR was designed to be easier for the surgeon to meet the leg length requirements. 

    Imalso had had heard that resurfacing does not last long as the Mon M surfaces wear and break down and were recalled and not included in the options for hips.

    i hope you get a THR free you from the worry of toxic metal levels. It is best to have blood tests every 6 months. 

    I hope you can bet get this resolved soon and feel better.i had this in for 5 Years befor qualified for,revision it was done last Jan. I do feel much better and walking with just a cane . Soon will be off cane just waiting for the fracture to heal.

    best wishes to you and hetbthru to revisions soon! 

     

  • Posted

    Sorry to hear this Donna.

    I just had a hip resurfacing 2 weeks ago and I did a lot of research prior to getting this done.

    Men should ideally be 5 10 and over and woman 5.2 and no longer planning to have children.

    Now, I am only 5 8 so clearly I was a little surprised that the Surgeon agreed to operate on me but he assured me that my thigh measure and current hip size determined my suitability. 

    My surgeon is very experienced in doing Hip Resuracing but still there is a little bit of me wondering if I should I just got a THR but he assured me the success rates of such ops espically in men were very good. Stats also back this up however he did say that he rarely operates on Woman due to the possible failure rates although the stats showed that success for woman was high but in comparison to THR they were lower.

    My consultant is the only surgeon in Scotland that does this operation and had done over 400. I believe the success rate of Hip resurfacing can greatly depend on the surgeons individual experience - it was indicated to me that some surgeons carry out this operation with little previous experience of Hip resurfacing.

    Sorry for waffling but I geniunely wish you all the very best in the future.

    • Posted

      Good point. After having three THR each surgeon was totally against resurfacing as it does not last as long and THR ii's just delayed. It's arthritis that causes hip issues in most cases, which cannot be controlled once effecting the bone. 

      most hip surgery is due to wearing away of cartheldge in the joint. That needs to be replace and resurfacing does not. Eventually the hip joint is worn down as the carthledge is gone and the hip joint is bone on bone. 

      In the US the surgeons have not done resurfacing for many reasons. 

    • Posted

      Agree. I'm 48 and hoping to get about 12-15 years from this (all being well).

      Reason I got a Hip resurfacing as opposed to THR was that simply I wanted to continue playing and coaching football. It's the only pleasure I get in life ha ha 

    • Posted

      Can you tell which surgeon this is please? I had a Birmingham done on both hips 14 years ago. The Right one needs redone. I dont have any faith at all in the blokes I have been referred to as thye have never done resurfacing. Thanks 
    • Posted

      Yes, Sure. Please google Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Dr Laskowski
  • Posted

    Hi ptbcal and Donna,

    Lovely forum this but also a plethora of different advice...

    All I can add is that I had my birmingham resurfacing left hip at Oxford in 2002 at Nuffield orthopaedic hospital .

    Left hip 2 years ago in exeter EXE as they do a special version of the thr known as the exeter hip. Not Birmingham hip.

    Both excellent...running 5k regularly too.

    Good luck

    Mic

    X

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