replacement replacements?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Hi Has anyone our there had rheir worn out THR replacements replaced with NOTHING, this has been suggested by one of the best teams in the country

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Tony,

    I've not heard of this but am very intrigued. Do you mean the old prosthetic replacement is just left in? 

    Whalie

  • Posted

    I've seen this done on dogs with broken hips from being hit by a car. They have 4 points that hit the ground. I dont think I would want no ball head. how would it support your leg and body? I'll google it to finish nod out more.

    • Posted

      Thanks Debbie. I still can't quite imagine it but appreciate your input. Look forward to hearing more if you find out. Whalie

  • Posted

    I was very intrigued by this idea, had a scout around Google and discovered this surgery is called the Girdlestone procedure. Theres quite a few surgical papers published online about it, and a number of patient blogs you may want to read up to get a good idea of what it entails.
  • Posted

    So i was reading up on it. They remove the ball and the thigh bone fuses to the socket. I literally think this is pretty similar to what i had before i had my hip replacement. Because i never had a ball and socket. It was just a mass of bone with no movement
  • Posted

    If they took out something, and we know they did, the will have to replace with something...else.  Or you will be missing that piece that makes your hips.  That's how i see it anyway..

    • Posted

      But the bone grows and then will eventually attach its self to the hip socket. Like when you have a break and the bone gorws and joins the broken area back up with the bone. If that made any sense 😂😂
  • Posted

    Not sure what that means / nothing? Dave63380
    • Posted

      It means no ball head. The ball is cut off......and not replaced
  • Posted

    This is called Girdlestones and used to be seen as a salvage Opperation for an infected hip joint or one where a THR is no longer viable. 

    Used to be more common years ago and I have seen patients who managed realy well after one and were able to flex their hip. There must be a VERY good reason for doing this proposed procedure rather than a revised THR. 

    Ask and get a second opinion. 

    All the very best. XXX

  • Posted

    Thanks everyone! If it were me I'd definitely ask for further explanation as to why and also get a second opinion. Good luck

    whalie

  • Posted

    Hi Tony, I have had 2 revisions due to corrosion of the prothesis and the poor placement of the original stem. The last total revision was in march. It seems that I have a significant risk of infection and was told that if this became a problem then the hip would be removed , a Girdlestone poceedure and inpatient stay of a year! I think its seem as a last resort when all else fails. I'm seeing a team at the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital, where are you and have you been diagnosed with an infection? All best wishes to you. Patsy X

    • Posted

      Hi Patsy, Thanks for your informative reply, briefly both my hip were replaced in 1989 and it was discovered some six years ago that there had worn out and were creating 'voids' in my pelvis.Having deteriorated greatly since that time am now seeing the team at Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, am now waiting for a further scan and a meet with the team to look at possible scenarios. One big problem is l live 750 miles from the hospital, in the far north of Scotland. I have had Ankolosing spondylitis for over 50 years and am totally fused (spine/neck/ribs/pelvis, so quite a surgical challenge!! Best wishes, Tony

  • Posted

    Hi Tony, sorry I've not got back to you sooner. You really have been through a lot. Life just isn't fair. I don't know if your considering a second opinion, but my consultant, Prof. Alister Hart at the RNOH heads a multidisciplinary team that review and advise on complex patients from all around the world. The team not only has orthopaedic specialists but physics neurologist etc. If you look at the web site there is a form and details of the information needed from your team. Hope this might be helpful to you. Keep smiling! PatsyX

    • Posted

      Hi Patsy, Thank you for your thoughts and wishes. It took nearly a year to get a referral from Scotland to England for which l am being funded otherwise l would have looked into your recommendation. Will wait to hear what options my team come up with. You could 'Google' Mr J. Timperley if you have a moment. My quality of life couldn't get lower, however a bit of a boost yesterday as met Prince Charles up here. Your concerns are much appreciated, Tony

    • Posted

      Hi Tony, I'm not sure you would need any funding for this as they make recommendations and assesments from your scans, other consultant information etc. I think the service may be funded by the Universty of London. But it may be useful for anyone with a complex case. Will look up your surgeon. 

      My goodness....hope you didn't have to bow!!!! I'm lucky to get to meet the butcher! Keep in touch. Love and hugs Patsy.

    • Posted

      Hi Patsy and l appreciate you taking the time to get back to me. Saw Mr Timperley last Wednesday and unfortunately the scan l had had the previous week wasn't the one he requested, however he wants me to meet with the rest of the Surgeon together so they can look at ways to tackle my problems. He did say l was as bad as it was possible to get, and is not happy that l have allowed to get into this state! I don't know when this will happen as returned back to home (2/3 day journey ) straight from my appointment. Now l didn't have to bow! I am 2 weeks his senior. Due to posture and short stature can only talk face to face if l'm seated, however in this instance l wedged myself against a substantial tent post. Sorry rambling on, would really like to hear how you are coping with your situation, my very best wishes, Tony

    • Posted

      Hi Tony, It's good that your being looked at by a team, and hope that they can come up with a plan that will help. Do you ever think "how the hell did I get in this situation!" I certainly do. Mine however is the result of very poor surgeons at my local hospital. I'm really struggling with pain and mobility and now 6 months on from my latest surgery am beginning to feel like I'll never walk properly again. Sorry... I'm feeling sorry for myself today....not a good one! Need a bottom kicking!! I'm seeing the pain clinic at the RNOH in September and am considering a spinal implant for the pain. I'm not sure i can cope with this level much longer and the Morphine seems not to be working as well. We'll just simply have to keep trying different things and maybe bit by bit things will improve. Good luck with everything. I am thinking of you. Hugs from sunny Kent    Patsy X

    • Posted

      Hi Patsy, Thanks for reply, so sorry to hear about your pain, l guess my worst times were from the late 60s into the 80s when my spine was fusion, with fusion comes some relief, no movement no pain. However my present circumstances are sometimes just as bad, l stay away from pain relief other than the standard, but guess after nearly a lifetime have learnt to deal with it, humour, determination and focus have all helped and Victor Meldrew has nothing on me! I am THE grumpy old git! hope we can continue to communicate, I am on the side of the last hill in mainland U.K. look on rightmove under Freswick, very 'dreek' up here today and the winds are wipping up, best wishes, Tony

    • Posted

      Hi Tony, Sorry to say its sunny and hot in Kent! My Scottish daughter in law calls it 'Dreek' weather too! Keep smiling. PatsyX

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