I was told that there is a new hip replacement procedure that is long term and effective for younger patients. I am looking for information on this new procedure. Do you have any information on this or suggestions as to where I can look to find out about it? Nancy Learn

-- Nancy Learn (nnlearn@aol.com), September 11, 2000

Answers

9-15-00 I just found out today from an orthopedic surgeon that I will eventually need hip replacement surgery. I am 50 years old and have been a daily runner for 35 years. He told me I should immediately stop running. Needless to say, I am devastated. I want to keep running and don't want to have hip surgery. I've been seeing a chiropractor for this problem for the past six weeks and he swears he can restore the cartilage that has been worn away in my hip. The chiropractor says he can do this with regular spinal adjustments and nutritional supplements. Does any of these sound familiar to you? I'd like to hear what your situation is. I'm trying to educate myself about hip replacement. From what I've gathered so far, the surgery itself has become pretty routine but the recovery time can be pretty difficult. Thanks for any comments you have

-- tim deady (timdeady@aol.com), September 15, 2000.

I had a full hip replacement at Good Samaritan on Apr. 7. 2000 and 5+ months later feels as if there was never anything wrong with my hip - it's been a 100% successful event! I have a non-glued joint. The idea of rebuilding cartilage is questionable at best and could result in your spending a whole lot of money for no benefit. The recovery, if you follow your therapist's advice, can be excellent and, if you are like me, you will have very little pain. I was 51 when I had the surgery and the deterioration had been very rapid - 2 years from diagnosis to surgery. Good luck - and keep in mind that a chiropractor's focus is on spinal manipulation - which will most likely have a no positive impact on osteo. and could cause further pain. there are a couple of great books to read - available at the library - on total hip and knee replacement. I felt, after reading these, that I could have performed the surgery and it gave me the feeling of having great control over what was happening. good luck.

-- Susan Greenberg (sdoucg@aol.com), September 26, 2000.

I have just thad a very successful hip resurfacing and think tha i could run again as i have done all of my life.Look into hip resurfacing

-- ernie mccullough (emccu@telusplanet.net), February 28, 2003.

I wanted to respond to Tim who had questions/concerns about what his chiropractor could do as far as replacing cartilage. After experiencing 6 to 7 years of increasing pain and loss of mobility I went to another chiropractor who was the first person to actually xray not only my spine, but my hip. From there he discovered that I would need a total hip replacement and soon, because it was basically bone against bone at that time. At no point did he make promises about restoring cartilage, even though he trained in China regarding herbal remedies. He even said that further adjustment of the spine would have to be modified considering the condition of my hip. I would be wary of such promises, go see an ortho. surgeon and face the facts...I had my first replacement at 35, revision two years later. Go to people who know the answers, along the way you may hear solutions that will only waste your money.

-- DeAnn Major (WthrngHite@aol.com), November 22, 2003.

You should visit this website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/hip/hiprepqa.htm

-- Robert Toussie (Robert Toussie@aol.com), March 15, 2004.