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Pain after hip replacement using Superpath technique

Posted , 9 users are following.

dean_14074
dean_14074

I’d love to hear from anybody who has been left in pain following hip surgery using the Superpath technique. 

I had a hip replacement at Coventry Hospital  in August 2017 and came round from the operation in severe pain.  I was told that my surgeon had used a modern technique called Superpath and I was likely to recover more quickly than expected. The surgeon, Michael Cronin, had not discussed this technique with me, and I would not have agreed to the technique had he asked my opinion. My severe pain was ignored, even though it was a sharp contrast to the lack of pain in other patients whose surgeons had used more traditional techniques. 

Six months later the pain hasn’t gone. I have been in severe pain 24/7 since the operation. My mobility is worse than before and the hip seems to move and click. My foot is numb and I have pins and needles in my back and leg. The response from them hospital has been slow and reluctant and I’m told my surgeon has now left the department. 

I have seen on this site that at least two other people have had the exact same experience with this surgeon. Would love to know if anybody else has had the same problem and whether the situation has improved over time.

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • diannesk
    diannesk dean_14074

    Posted

    Have you met with another surgeon to check it out?
    • dean_14074
      dean_14074 diannesk

      Posted

      I've finally been referred for a second opinion. Hoping that will throw up some answers to the question: what's gone wrong?

  • rustygecko
    rustygecko dean_14074

    Posted

    Cronin has moved to Warwick and Leamington Spa.

    Your problem I suspect is your surgeon tried a relatively new technique from the USA (which he now advertises online for a private clinic). But now,tunderstandably, his former colleagues are reluctant  to clear up his mess. Getting involved sorting out a problem with a technique and implant about which they know little, is bad news for them.

    The boast of the SuperPath(tm) is that the patient experiences much less pain than traditional techniques and walk within hours. 

    I am surprised that you weren’t informed that he would be doing a relatively surgical implant for you.  The surgeon had a legal obligation to keep you fully informed and for you to involve you in decisions. As this is a relatively new technique he had less experience at doing it and many might think he should have informed you. I don’t know if it’s your case but in the US I see that this technique is counter-indicated for overweight patients.

    I would get on to your GP as well as the hospital. I would also consult a lawyer if they don’t start taking action to fix the mess. You could also try to get transferred to one of Cronin’s clinics up to the road. 

  • m05
    m05 dean_14074

    Posted

    I am 5 weeks out of right SuperPath THR with Mr Cronin I can honestly say that since coming round from the operation I have never experienced anything I could describe as pain a little ache and soreness perhaps my wound has healed perfectly and my right leg is improving every day with regards to movement I was driving comfortably after 1 week. I am afraid there is a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance about the SuperPath procedure it is not a particularly new procedure and one of the big advantages is that surgeons familiar with the traditional posterior approach can relatively easily learn Superpath Mr Cronin has been practising and teaching this procedure for a number of years now and is an excellent caring professional of course complications can arise with any medical procedure and not every person is the same in their recovery but the weight of evidence is that superpath gives an easier initial recovery and due to less soft tissue insult a more stable prosthesis I am booked to have my left treated with Mr Cronin soon and have every confidence in him and his brilliant team. Dean you say you had 2 previous unsuccessful procedures on another thread I think and I am sorry you are suffering now but it might help to put the situation in perspective if you gave a little more history about your hip problems if you could I do hope things start to improve for you soon.
    • dean_14074
      dean_14074 m05

      Posted

      Glad to hear that you had a better experience with Superpath. Unfortunately, I'm finding that quite a few people are complaining about quite serious problems post surgery, and if this is the case I think it's important that patients are told about these risks before their operation. It seems that this isn't happening for many people. 

    • diannesk
      diannesk dean_14074

      Posted

      During my first appointment with my surgeon, we talked about the technique he would use and his experience. He has does both posterior and anterior and said I was a perfect candidate for anterior. I also did a lot of research before committing to the surgery. He told me that there was always a possibility he would have to do "more" if necessary. Thank goodness that wasn't the case.

      I've wondered about the Superpath here in the US. There aren't a lot of surgeons who do it and maybe there is a good reason for that. When I see my surgeon for next appointment in a couple of weeks I'll ask him about it.

      The big issue for you is not being informed. That is unacceptable.

    • gerriberri66
      gerriberri66 diannesk

      Posted

      I had Superpath done 12/4 by Dr Jimmy Chow in AZ. He was one of the original “inventors” of the procedure. He’s been doing this for over 11 years, which is considered a “new”procedure. This is my 1st surgery ever, and my experience has been fantastic. I haven’t had an ounce of pain from the second I woke up from surgery. I was able to walk the same day as surgery. In 2 days I walked without a walker. I drove in a week. Did 4 sessions of PT, more concerned about how to walk without a limp. After that I started walking ...1st day was .5 mile, next day 1 mile, and after that was able to walk nonstop for min of 2 miles.  My recovery has been nothing short of amazing. I did a lot of research before choosing this method. The reason there aren’t a lot of surgeons doing Superpath, is because they don’t want to go through the learning curve, which is understandable. But the few who are doing it are usually younger surgeons open to newer and more progressive ways of doing hip replacements. 

      I’m sorry that Deans experience wasn’t a good one. I hope you are able to get the answers you need. But no one should bash any procedure that any of us have chosen to do. After reading about all the anterior problems people have had on this website, in a million years, I would never choose this method. I did my due diligence.. and made my decision to have Superpath based on as much self education as I could. I’m sure there are people who were thrilled with their choice to have anterior. But it’s everyones responsibility to know their surgeon, and ask their questions. 

    • diannesk
      diannesk gerriberri66

      Posted

      I wasn't bashing the procedure, simply mentioning what I had read about. Of course, experience is so important for a surgeon. Age of the patient and health before surgery makes a difference, too, with recovery from any form of surgery.

      The real issue in this discussion has been Dean's bad experience and lack of information.

      Good to hear your experience was a favorable one.

    • gerriberri66
      gerriberri66 diannesk

      Posted

      IThank you Dianne,

      I agree that the issue is Deans bad experience and lack of information. I feel terrible that he is going through all of this. From what I have read on several forums, when I first came on to see peoples experience with Superpath, is that a lot of people have used Mr Cronin and have had successful surgeries. Any surgery, at any time can have complications. 

      ​Have you chosen what method you are going to do for your THR? Do you have surgery scheduled yet? Have you read all the posts about complications with anterior?  There is also a mini posterior approach, so when people are stating posterior are they talking the old fashion way? or mini p??

       

    • dean_14074
      dean_14074 gerriberri66

      Posted

      What I'm trying to get here is a broad picture of other people's experiences, in particular how well patients have recovered from complications, as this is the information that is hard to come by.

      That said, I do have a concern that patients aren't being told what percentage of patients suffer complications - there is a subtext in some places that this is a wonder treatment, and I've come across a significant number of people for whom it hasn't been that. In particular, there are patients experiencing very similar post-op symptoms: long-term damage to the psoas tendon. In my case there is the added complication that the procedure was carried out with no discussion at all about it - I wasn't even aware that there was an alternative to the more traditional treatment.

      I think patient experience always makes a valuable contribution to evaluations of treatment. That's particularly important with Superpath in the UK, where the procedure is less established. You're right to point out that Dr Cronin has carried out successful surgeries, gerriberri66. But it's also important that people know that in this instance he carried out a procedure on me unsuccessfully and to the detriment of my health and mobility.  

      Thanks both for your comments. Really interesting to hear how things are rolling out for other patients. Best of luck with your surgery diannesk!

    • gerriberri66
      gerriberri66 dean_14074

      Posted

      Dean,

      My heart goes out to you for everything you are going through. It seems that there are a lot of people on this website having experienced tendon damage, not only with Superpath, but other techniques as well. I hope that you can garner great information here to help you to make informed decisions to help you get back to 100%. 

      I wish you only the best! Gerri 

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy dean_14074

      Posted

      Hi Dean, there is a good article comparing anterior and posterior that you may like to look at.

      It is headed posterior vs anterior total hip replacement. It is on website jaykrusemd com if you go to the menu at the top and choose hip. It gives a comparison table which is quite interesting I think. 

    • diannesk
      diannesk dean_14074

      Posted

      I had surgery January 8. Immediately after the surgery no more hip pain which I had experienced for a long time. Recovery has been very good with only the issue of part of the surgical incision not healing as well as the rest. This does happen with some people. Fortunately my surgeon is knowledgeable and has been very good with treatment. He also calls me about once a week to check on my progress.

      I agree that it is important to look at possible issues or complications that can occur.  When my surgeon first explained about the surgery and mentioned anterior approach he gave me a general brochure and suggested I do my own research. I like that since it's something I always do with any unknown situation.

      Hope all can be worked out to fix the outcome of your surgery.

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