Alternative for Hip Replacement Surgery?

Has anyone heard of this procedure for joint pain/arthritis? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

http://www.rehabmd.com/regenexx-procedures/

I have not heard of this practice or therapy before, but I'll be keeping an eye on it now for sure. When they say "degenerative conditions," I wonder whether that includes spinal issues? My husband could sure benefit if that's the case.

I've been curious for awhile now about when and how stem cell research would translate into beneficial therapies. I have high hopes for this area of medicine!

Sorry that I don't have useful information for you, but it's such a new area that I don't think there is much experience to learn from yet. OTOH, it certainly sounds less invasive than surgery, with faster recovery and fewer side effects. I could be wrong about that, but that is a reasonable expectation, I think.

Injections of platelet rich plasma aren't going to help you (they will help the doctor make boat payments, though) if you're at the stage where joint replacement is needed.

Steve said:
Injections of platelet rich plasma aren't going to help you (they will help the doctor make boat payments, though) if you're at the stage where joint replacement is needed.

This is the problem -- I don't feel I need joint replacement surgery. One day I woke up, had a pain in my hip, went to the doctor and was told I had arthritis in my hip. What do I do about it, I asked -- answer: hip replacement surgery. I think they're very knife happy with hips and knees these days. So that's why I'm looking for another alternative first. Surgery is my very last choice before I exhaust all other alternatives. Thanks Steve.

mumstheword said:

Steve said:
Injections of platelet rich plasma aren't going to help you (they will help the doctor make boat payments, though) if you're at the stage where joint replacement is needed.

This is the problem -- I don't feel I need joint replacement surgery. One day I woke up, had a pain in my hip, went to the doctor and was told I had arthritis in my hip. What do I do about it, I asked -- answer: hip replacement surgery. I think they're very knife happy with hips and knees these days. So that's why I'm looking for another alternative first. Surgery is my very last choice before I exhaust all other alternatives. Thanks Steve.

Ask about physical therapy.

Honestly, if you don't feel you need joint replacement surgery, then you probably don't need it.

You do need it if you are really limited/debilitated by pain and/or immobility.

mjh said:

mumstheword said:

Steve said:
Injections of platelet rich plasma aren't going to help you (they will help the doctor make boat payments, though) if you're at the stage where joint replacement is needed.

This is the problem -- I don't feel I need joint replacement surgery. One day I woke up, had a pain in my hip, went to the doctor and was told I had arthritis in my hip. What do I do about it, I asked -- answer: hip replacement surgery. I think they're very knife happy with hips and knees these days. So that's why I'm looking for another alternative first. Surgery is my very last choice before I exhaust all other alternatives. Thanks Steve.

Ask about physical therapy.
Honestly, if you don't feel you need joint replacement surgery, then you probably don't need it.
You do need it if you are really limited/debilitated by pain and/or immobility.

I did ask about physical therapy -- and was told in most cases patients feel more pain.

I don't feel I need joint replacement surgery because it's not my joints that hurt -- it's the muscles in my thigh and back.

I'm going to go to a third doc -- one who treats "osteoarthritis of the hip and thigh", which sounds more specified than what other orthopedic docs list as their specialties. Hopefully three will be the charm.

If you go to an orthopedist, he will tell you that you need hip replacement, because that's what they do. A rheumatologist will give you drugs and tell you to cut out most of the foods that you like, because that's what they do. A physiatrist will suggest physical therapy, and maybe a cortisone shot where you have the most pain, because that's what they do. That's what works for me, and I think it is the least radical and/or harmful solution for arthritis. You have to keep on going to the therapy, though.

Might be worth checking out the Center for Hip Preservation at the Hospital for Special Surgery?

https://www.hss.edu/hippain.asp

Dr. Edwin Su, associated with that group, is supposed to be some kind of genius. Some surgeons (Su being one of them, maybe?) believe in hip resurfacing, which is supposedly not advised for women at all, but sometimes recommended for men.

zucca said:
Might be worth checking out the Center for Hip Preservation at the Hospital for Special Surgery?
https://www.hss.edu/hippain.asp
Dr. Edwin Su, associated with that group, is supposed to be some kind of genius. Some surgeons (Su being one of them, maybe?) believe in hip resurfacing, which is supposedly not advised for women at all, but sometimes recommended for men.

It is recommended for women provided they are not finely boned.

Dr. Su has very many happy patients but..... No other surgeon as far as I know will do resurfacings at HSS. They have their view about it, he has his. I'd encourage exploring both views

mumstheword- I had Dr Su do my hip resurfacing six years ago at age 42. It changed my life. My hip had debilitated to the point where I could no longer cycle, row or run. I was wearing loafers because the joint pain kept me from bedding over to tie my shoe. Today I am back to an active lifestyle without pain. Biking, rowing, lifting and even running. The metal on metal implant is doing well and the lifespan only seems to increase as they discover the actual limits of the surgery.

Resurfacing isn't for everyone, but I will stand by Dr Su as a fantastic surgeon who engages his patients. HSS is by far the best ortho surgical group in the area, and if you are seeking that avenue of service, get on their calendar!

I would be happy to discuss my experience more if you PM me.- Glenn