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Do you know what type of hip prosthesis you have?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Jayive
Jayive

Hi,

I was never told what type of prosthesis I would be given and, prior to my THR, never knew there was anything to discuss. Since then my surgeon has told me all replacements are the same size but now, since finding this site and therefore becoming wiser, I have been researching the net and find that replacement prosthesis are many sizes and various shapes and types.

As I have ongoing problems I am trying to ascertain what other 'hippies' have been told or what questions they asked prior to surgery?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy Jayive

    Posted

    I was 'measured' by xray to see which size shaft and joint I would need.....apparently small, medium, large and xlarge!!

    I presume I got the correct one as I've had no probs....

  • judiwoo
    judiwoo Jayive

    Posted

    I was xrayed before my op to measure everything and so far Ive had no problems but it's only 6 weeks post op x
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy Jayive

    Posted

    Mine is called a Marathon lol!! Steel shaft and polyurethene cup apparently!....The most long lasting so far I've been told but who knows!!
    • RossshireBuffUK
      RossshireBuffUK crissy_wissy

      Posted

      Crissy, glad to hear it. I've had the same, ~  but didn't think to ask about the options beforehand. Instead I established that I had faith in my surgeon, & trusted in him to give me the best avaialable.  Here's hoping I will be proven right!
  • ceboyd
    ceboyd Jayive

    Posted

    We definitely discussed different types of prosthesis and, for my age//lifestyle, decided on ceramic ball with a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner in the acetabulum. 

    I do know that some manufacturers have a bigger selection/range of sizes then others. I believe the goal is, for more highly active people anyway,  to give the largest ball possible (more stability) based on whatever the socket/acetabulum could handle without taking away good bone.

  • kaleani75551
    kaleani75551 Jayive

    Posted

    I did not know either and did not even think about it until i got in forums and people were talking about their implants by name.  So i emailed my doctors - had different doctors for each hip, and asked for details.  My right hip is Depuy (the non recalled parts) and my left is Zimmer.  Along with the manufacturer i was also given the related details.  Ask your doctor.
    • tom72276
      tom72276 kaleani75551

      Posted

      Hi Kaleani, that's interesting u mention the name Zimmer as my surgeon has explained 2 me these r the joints they will be using if my revised knee surgeries go ahead? It seems they are a hinged prosthesis & come in 1 piece as opposed 2 the other joints I've had fitted which are 2 seperate components, 4 sum reason after about 3 months I somehow manage 2 "Stretch out the joint" as my surgeon puts it, nobody seems 2 be able 2 explain the reason 4 this, he has even raised the question when he has his 6 week meetings @ other hospitals with fellow knee & hip specialists, it seems that none of them have ever experienced this so I'm classed as an Oddity (doesn't really help me much?) I've just my MRI scan results back & my GP has told me that as I have severe OA in the shoulder & the cortisone I had did nothing 2 ease the pain & fizio have discharged me as they can't really do any more it seems that surgery is the only option I have left? The only problem I'm having with my last surgery is the fact that I can't really take much weight on my right crutch due 2 the pain in my shoulder, seems I'll be worth more in scrap value @ this rate, take care 😉
  • Nordic
    Nordic Jayive

    Posted

    Hi, I did research before my THR, & asked for a ceramic hip replacement, as they were supposed to last longer, & there was no danger of bits of metal shaving off & travelling around my body.  A month after my op I got the surgeon to write down exactly what had been used, name, size, type etc.  As I've had ongoing problems, & 2nd, 3rd & 4th opinions after the op, the last surgeon said that he would have used a smaller prosthesis which may have avoided some of my problems.  It's amazing how we let these people do things to us without asking exactly why & what!

    When I have to have my other hip done, I will be asking SO many questions beforehand....maybe even tape recording it!

  • Jayive
    Jayive

    Posted

    Thanks everyone, It seems as though some patients asked or were given info prior to their operation.

    I think I must have been very naieve as it didn't cross my mind to question much, as my friend had had hers done successfully I just assumed I'd be the same. Now I have discovered that there are so many different types and sizes I realise I've been fobbed off in the hope that I'd go away and spend the rest of my life in pain and not question any more.

  • tom72276
    tom72276 Jayive

    Posted

    Hi Jayive, I'm pretty much the same as u, I didn't ask any questions b4 hand either? I did see the joint I'd be having which was shown 2 us @ the hip clinic but that was it basically. The surgeon that did my THR also did both of my knees previously, I never even thought 2 ask any questions, just assumed he was the knee & hip specialist & took it that he would know what he was doing? I've been quite lucky as this op seems 2 have gone really well (unlike the TKR's I've had) as far as I'm aware the joint I've had fitted is a stainless steel & plastic 1? I'm due 2 have the right hip replaced within the next 3/4 months, I must admit all my pre op pain has gone since the surgery, another reason I'm having the THR's was 2 hopefully aleviate the pain in my knees as well, unfortunately this hasn't been the case so I think I'm now looking @ revised surgeries on my knees again? Can't believe what a varied mix of comments there are 2 read on this site, so many different outcomes 4 so many people, also the aftercare seems 2 vary so much according 2 which hospital & which country ur in? Hope u manage 2 get sorted out soon & good luck 2 u 😉
  • jeanp
    jeanp Jayive

    Posted

    Hi Jayive,

    Like you I didn't give it a thought before surgery (five years ago now). I was just told that as I was still quite young (55) the surgeon would be using a large headed prosthesis, as they were less likely to dislocate in more active patients. This led me to a rather comic argument with the surgeon the day of the surgery, me in my hospital gown, standing in the corridor, when he said "no no, just a normal size headed implant" when I thought I  had just better check with him. Then I had to walk down the stairs to the operating theatre, led by a porter, as the lift had broken down! I was fairly hysterical by this time, but apart from that, the hospital gave me brilliant care, and the surgeon came and apologised afterwards and said I was right, he had used a large head implant, and the sugery had gone well. But it shows how arrogant some surgeons can be, and now I am waiting for a revision of that hip, I am asking many more questions and finding out more. Due for a ceramic on ceramic to replace the metal on metal. I found out it was a Corail Pinnacle one, from a letter sent me about a follow up appointment.

    I assume they worked out the size needed from x-rays.

     

    • Nordic
      Nordic jeanp

      Posted

      Hi Jean,  can I ask why you need a revision after only 5 years?
    • jeanp
      jeanp Nordic

      Posted

      Yes, Nordic,

      I have a metal-on-metal implant, and it started giving me a little bit of pain (only a little). Got a scan and blood test, and the cobalt and chromium levels in my blood is raised. So the consultant I saw told me the pain would get worse, it could lead to a failure of the implant, and would be a good idea to have it changed to a ceramic on ceramic implant. So now I am waiting for the revision. And the pain is getting worse, which in a way is a help in reconciling me to having to undergo the surgery again.

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