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SIZING

Posted , 7 users are following.

Sredni393
Sredni393

It seems that there are too many of us suffering due to oversized implants. In a couple of cases on here, implants were too small. I had no idea that this issue could exist at all. In one case a tall American woman has a too small implant going south down the shaft of her femur. It was she who drew our attention the paltry range of sizes available. And to the fact that at least in the US surgeons are rewarded for sticking with certain manufacturers. Of course those of us going for a second THR will be wise to that now, but meantime, can anyone who believes their implant to be an incorrect fit, respond to this post as I am taking this matter up and drafting an article for a women's magazine.  After all, post surgical complications must be costly and the NHS might better be served by addressing the question of fit before the event rather than coping with revisions and scans and all the miserable patients being treated for pain sometimes over a lifetime. Nearest available fit is just not good enough.....

3 likes, 19 replies

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  • markbeekmans
    markbeekmans Sredni393

    Posted

    True, sharing our (or my mother´s) experiences here is a good start. Teaming up is also a good idea but combining eachother´s medical information, prothesis size, brand, model and manufacturer, X rays etc. would be perfect. 

    I was also hoping we could get doctors and surgeon´s input here. After all the participation is or can be anonymous so anyone could contribute without any hesitation or shame or fear. Even manufacturers could join in.

    Let´s not forget we are trying to help people here!

    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 markbeekmans

      Posted

      I don't believe many ortho surgeons are so  altruistic.  And as pointed out on here many are offered financial incentives.  Also in the UK trusts are Admin driven and their budgets are run on a tight rein. Surgeons probably have to accept what they're given!  Now so many nhs Trusts use private facilities for hip replacements they seem to be wanting feedback on everything bar the actual outcome which is all that matters. There were no questions whatsoever on the pertinent matters voiced on this site.  I also elieve that surgeons probably do read this site, but they are employees too and perhaps are limited in how much weight they carry in such decision making.  Lamentable but we will never know how they arrive at sizing selection. The nhs is now like a secret society so litigation paranoid are they. .... But the sheer number of revisions for both length and width errors must be so costly you think they'd get the hint! Unless the surgeons like   electrical manufacturers factor in inbuilt obsolescence to bring in more work!  Cynical,  moi!
  • markbeekmans
    markbeekmans Sredni393

    Posted

    Cynical but realistic, I agree. Nevetheless I am hoping not ALL doctors are alike. After all once they had the ambition to become doctirs to help people right? They swore an oath all of them also. True, they all have to make a living, are on a budget, strings, incentives and are only human too. So they also sometimes make mistakes but we all do, the right thing to do is correct your mistakes and continue to help people. Also on this forum.
    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 markbeekmans

      Posted

      One would hope they might contribute but I believe their policy is to keep silence behind the shield of Nhs legal departments.   I know a Lloyds "Name" (the London re-insurance market) whose broker told his syndicates the sum of all negligence claims.  It makes you shudder.... Then when you attend the clinics you see all the wheelchairs and swollen legs and feet in the ortho dept you realise just how huge must be the percentage of gross mistakes and poor outcomes. Of course you have to take into consideration the general health, obesity,  diabetes etc of hip patients but I feel strongly that they should alert us to realistic outcomes. One year is not 6-8 weeks  for example. And severe pain can persist for a year or longer .......I was not told just how much bone would need to be sacrificed. .. and on and on. ...
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