AVN Hip Prognosis UPDATE: #3
Posted by S.J. Owens | | Posted On Friday, August 27, 2010 at 1:40 PM
It has been one month since I reported last on my AVN condition and many things have changed since then. At last post I was seeing Dr. Chimento at Ochsner and a Core Decompression (CD) procedure was in order. Now, I have yet again gotten an alternative opinion with another Orthopedic from the Pontchartrain Bone and Joint Clinic, with Dr. John Burvant. Outlook with Dr. Burvant was less than hopeful, in fact it was downright negative. Although Dr. Burvant was very cordial and stayed to answer all my questions, his prognosis was that a CD would only be about a 30% chance of success with the fluid build up he observed from my MRI scans and thus I was advised to simply wait until my hips deteriorate enough at which point a Total Hip Replacement (THR) can be done. Until then, it's a waiting game, leaving me with considerable pain and the lack of mobility to really do anything that requires the use of my legs and feet - pretty much everything! Anti-Inflammatory drugs I am taking do not appear to be aiding the day-to-day pain associated with my AVN. Common tasks we all take for granted have begun to be an extreme chore for me such as bending over, cutting my grass, holding & playing with my kids, walking, marital relations and many more. With this news I am bumbed out to say the least, but I have snapped back and have been busy again writing to Doctors and Specialists all over the U.S. One of which are the Specialists at Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic (AOC) located in Mobile, AL. These guys "spoke" to me in the form at which their website is represented, arranged, and worded. I have an email sent off to both Dr's. Michael L. Granberry & Suanne White-Spunner. You can read about them and the Clinic in Mobile, AL: here at this link: Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic.
Second, I have gone back to the Dr. that has helped me so much through this ordeal and continues to respond to every email I send him, Dr. David S. Hungerford, now retired (about Dr. Hungerford). In his last email he relayed to me that his son, Dr. Marc Hungerford also specializes in THR and that he would aid in setting up a meeting for me with him. I decided to research Dr. Marc Hungerford and found that he too, like his Father, is well respected and highly sought after for his abilities in THR Surgeory. One of which is the "Anterior Hip Replacement" method; so what is it:
The direct anterior approach utilizes a muscle interval in front of the hip joint in which muscles and tendons are not cut for exposure of the joint. Because exposure can be more challenging, special instruments and a custom operating table are used to assist in performing the surgery.
Patients who have undergone Direct Anterior Hip Replacement surgery report that the post operative pain and discomfort is markedly less than traditional approaches. In addition, their recovery is expedited. Most patients are discharged from the hospital by post op day #2 and are off of all walking aids (cane/crutches) by the 2nd week from surgery.
The Direct Anterior Approach is not applicable to all patients. Most patients who are undergoing Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty will be better served by more traditional approaches. Those patients who have hip deformities from childhood also, on occasion, are not candidates for the direct anterior approach. Read more on Dr. Marc Hungerford & his Practice here: Dr. Marc Hungerford,MD
Click below for a video-model on this alternative method:
Now that we know what it is, let's see it done in reality; this made me "CRINGE" while watching it:
Let's hear from patients who have had this procedure done:
Sounds all well and good, but that surgical video is ever-weighing heavy on my mind... Ouch!! With these new findings it is safe to say that my ordeal with AVN is far from over and only getting more challenging for me as time passes. For me - continued education, networking, and a positive outlook keep me going for now.
Thanks for reading.
Second, I have gone back to the Dr. that has helped me so much through this ordeal and continues to respond to every email I send him, Dr. David S. Hungerford, now retired (about Dr. Hungerford). In his last email he relayed to me that his son, Dr. Marc Hungerford also specializes in THR and that he would aid in setting up a meeting for me with him. I decided to research Dr. Marc Hungerford and found that he too, like his Father, is well respected and highly sought after for his abilities in THR Surgeory. One of which is the "Anterior Hip Replacement" method; so what is it:
The direct anterior approach utilizes a muscle interval in front of the hip joint in which muscles and tendons are not cut for exposure of the joint. Because exposure can be more challenging, special instruments and a custom operating table are used to assist in performing the surgery.
Patients who have undergone Direct Anterior Hip Replacement surgery report that the post operative pain and discomfort is markedly less than traditional approaches. In addition, their recovery is expedited. Most patients are discharged from the hospital by post op day #2 and are off of all walking aids (cane/crutches) by the 2nd week from surgery.
The Direct Anterior Approach is not applicable to all patients. Most patients who are undergoing Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty will be better served by more traditional approaches. Those patients who have hip deformities from childhood also, on occasion, are not candidates for the direct anterior approach. Read more on Dr. Marc Hungerford & his Practice here: Dr. Marc Hungerford,MD
Click below for a video-model on this alternative method:
Now that we know what it is, let's see it done in reality; this made me "CRINGE" while watching it:
Let's hear from patients who have had this procedure done:
Sounds all well and good, but that surgical video is ever-weighing heavy on my mind... Ouch!! With these new findings it is safe to say that my ordeal with AVN is far from over and only getting more challenging for me as time passes. For me - continued education, networking, and a positive outlook keep me going for now.
Thanks for reading.
