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Has anyone had experience with these hip surgeons?

Posted , 7 users are following.

liamfahy7
liamfahy7

Hi there,

I'm currently looking for a good hip surgeon based in South East UK to perform a total hip replacement for me. I'm only 34 years of age and want to make absolutely sure I see the right person and get the right advice and ultimately the right hip! I know from research that there's so many different types and materials and surgeons seem to offer conflicting opinions for younger patients like me.

Can anyone give any feedback on the type of care they received from any of these surgeons:

Sarah Muirhead-Allwood

Simon Birdle

Hugh Apthorp

Marcus Bankes

It seems that many surgeons will generally use the same hip type/material for all their operations, but I'm looking more for a specialist who fits a wide range of hips and will take the time to discuss what's best for me.

Really appreciate any advice you can offer!

Liam

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • pam031060
    pam031060 liamfahy7

    Posted

    Hi Liam,

    I don't know any of the surgeons you list but I bet you get replies from people who do.  What I would say is that when I visited my local hospital the consultant I saw was very patient and took the time to explain the various options.  He gave me his opinions and I went away and researched to make sure I was happy with his recommendations.  However if you already have a preference I am sure they will discuss this with you.  I also feel that if the consultant you see isn't willing to perform the type of procedure you want, they will suggest other consultants who may fit your requirements.  They really are very understanding.  I have spoken with a number of people who have also had a similar experience.  I believe you can look consultants up on a register so see what they specialise in, I also found their secretary's to be a wealth of information and knowledge.  Good luck in your quest and take it easy ....

    • liamfahy7
      liamfahy7 pam031060

      Posted

      Hi Pam - thanks so much for your reply - I've been on the surgeon register and it is indeed very useful. I'm sure I'll find the right specialist soon! Thanks again
  • Tech78
    Tech78 liamfahy7

    Posted

    Hi Liam, where is the SE are you based? I was 30 when I had my first hip done.

    My first surgeon was Laurence O'Hara and my second/third was with Mr Middleton who I can not recommend highly enough. Him and his team were brilliant.

    Have you goggled these surgeons, you should be able to find out their success rates on line.

    Good luck

    • liamfahy7
      liamfahy7 Tech78

      Posted

      Hi there! Thanks SO much for the prompt reply and advice. So gosh you were even younger than me when you had your first hip done. To be honest you're the first person I've been in contact with who is of a similar age range to myself - so you may well be able to help me with some other advie if at all possible? With all the specialists you've seen and advice you've been given, has anyone spoken to you much about the longevity of the THR's you have? My other (probably my main!!) massive concern is that, from what I understand, one can only have 2 or 3 revisions in a lifetime - so even if I get 25 years out of my first hip, I'll still only be a very active 60 year old when it fails! I worry about the long term and ending up in a wheel chair etc! Maybe that's silly but I can't help it from always being at the back of my mind!

      By the way I live in Kent but I'm prepared to travel anywhere across the SE or London to see the right person. I will indeed Google the specialists you've mentioned.

      Thanks again and all the very best to you!

    • cheryl99365
      cheryl99365 liamfahy7

      Posted

      Hi Liam

      Can't help with your surgeon quest, as I live in the Midlands, but regarding the type of hip fitted in younger people, my understanding is that they can use a ceramic hip, which is more expensive that the "normal" one that requires replacing every 10 years or so.  It is built to last, so barring minor technical faults, which can be carried out relatively easily (sorry, I didn't delve any further on what this means!), they don't require replacing.  You may be amused to know that I am considered to be "young" at the tender age of 55, and I was certainly the youngest on my unit by about 17 years when I had my THR 13 days ago.  Good luck in your research.

      Kind regards

      Cheryl

    • liamfahy7
      liamfahy7 cheryl99365

      Posted

      Thanks Cheryl - 55 is very much a tender young age and I hope everything goes well for you! Liam
    • Tech78
      Tech78 liamfahy7

      Posted

      I'm a pro at this now unfortunately so ask away, I'm more than happy to help. I wish I'd found this forum before I had mine as I felt very alone and there are so few people below 40 that have this type of surgery.

      Regarding the revision, ignore it! Each person is different and depending on the bone structure you can have numerous revisions - I'm already on my 2nd through complications. Things are evolving all the time so try not to worry about the future, just concentrate on the first replacement and recovering from that :0)

  • sonia97062
    sonia97062 liamfahy7

    Posted

    Hi Liam. I live in Kent and I had Mr Ravi Kumar. His team were brilliant. He is very well thought of in Orthpaedics, and he is very, very caring. I am 68 and had very different problems in that I have been battling for nearly 12mths with open wounds in my other leg. He was ver worried regards possible infection, had one of his friends, a vascular surgeon look at my leg and reluctantly agreed to go ahead. I cannot fault the care I have received and am now 3 weeks post op. I am sure whoever you choose will do a brilliant job, and I wish you all the luck in the world. You are such a youngster to be facing this, and I dont blame you for researching the best possible team for your op. I can stand up straight now, and am not ready to join the oldies just yet lols.x
  • jennifer2000
    jennifer2000 liamfahy7

    Posted

    Hi Liam,

    Mr Bankes did both my hips this year (ceramic on ceramic, uncemented). He, his team, and Guys Hospital were all absolutely fantastic. I chose him because he specialises in young people and (I believe) pioneered the use of Ceramic in the UK. let me know if you have any questions. PS I'm 39.

    Jennifer, UK

    • liamfahy7
      liamfahy7 jennifer2000

      Posted

      Hi Jennifer,

      Thanks so much for your reply. I have heard good things about Mr. Bankes. Would you mind awfully if I ask another couple of questions?...

      1. Does Mr Bankes also fit cemented or hybrid hips? Or purely ceramic on ceramic uncemented?

      2. Did he talk to you about risks of fracturing/shattering? Are you very active and does this worry you?

      3. Did he talk to you about the risks of ceramic on ceramic squeaking?

      4. Do you know anything about the logevity of these hips and also how many revisions you can have? I worry about people as young as us having this surgery as I know you can't have an infinite amount of revisions!

      Sorry about all the questions but it's so useful for me when I find someone of a similar age to me who's going through this surgery.

      Thanks a million!,

      Liam

    • jennifer2000
      jennifer2000 liamfahy7

      Posted

      Hi Liam,

      good questions all! It goes without saying that my responses are my opinion, I'm not a medical expert rather they are my interpretation of the medical mumbo jumbo I've read / heard :-)

      1. Mr Bankes specialises in and only uses Ceramic on Ceramic. Mine were uncemented but I'm not sure he'd refuse to use cement if required.

      2. He did talk me through the risks. I don't remember him discussing shattering but I've done some research since Christine's (?) comment on your other thread. Ceramic is very, very tough, the risks of shattering seem less probable than you actually shattering your own femur head. My belief is that the risk of shattering is outweighed by the benefits of ceramic to young, active people. I am going to ask him about it when I have my follow up but whatever the conclusion I feel I've got the best joint for me. I was active when first diagnoses, nothing bonkers just gym, running etc. Now I've got two new hips I'm aspiring to get fit, start kettle bell training, mountain biking and rock climbing. I fully expect my new joint to cope with that :-)

      3. He did mention it but my pre opp hips sounded like someone breaking rocks so a squeak would be a happy compromise. To be honest I thought it could be quite funny, just imagine swinging your legs through boring meetings *squeek, squeek, squeek*. However I've not had that happen.

      4. I was told 20 years, not because that's when they fail but because that's how long they have been around so far with no significant failure numbers recorded. In theory it could last forever if you're sensible? Revisions are not such a big deal for uncemented joints. Because the joint is naturally fused with your bone they will simply replace any failed component eg ceramic ball rather than performing a full revision. Again though, you may never need one. 

      Hope that helps and makes sense!

      Jennifer, UK

  • stephen95303
    stephen95303 liamfahy7

    Posted

    Hiya Liam

    Im 31 and had mine done 10 weeks ago on Friday, I've been back at work on the buildings 2 days now and everything is great, so it is well worth doing. I live in the South East, I had mine done by a MR R Slack, he was very straight forward and didn't talk much but to be fair I didn't ask much. He however oozed with confidence, which I found very reassuring. he assured me that he is the best at what he does working with younger people and that he will leave me able to have revision surgery, he also said that not to let anyone else do it and wait for him. Now I don't know if he was just a cocky bloke or he is a dab hand with a hammer and chisel but I have defiantly got no complaints. I also don't even know what kind of hip I've got, he just left me feeling this man knows what he's doing, so i left him to it. All I know is I was bouncing round at work today like i never had a problem and  I am a lot happier. So I'll worry about revision surgery when it comes, I've spent to many years being held back by it. Just going to enjoy it now.

    Best of luck with what ever you choose

    Steve

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