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Michael Broder (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail PDF Print E-mail

April 2, 2009

March 31st was my 6th anniversary of Left Hip Resurfacing for osteoarthritis. I have been busy with LIFE!, and forgot about it until today.

I am in the Wright Clinical Trial & I'm overdue for my routine annualevaluation as part of that group. I have no problems, or restrictions.

I have not developed any other joint problems.  I am a diagnostic radiologist in North Carolina. I joined the Yahoo surface hippy group over 7 years ago.

I am a non-athletic, but active person. Avid snow skier, traveler, gardener. Developed osteoarthritis in left hip only, and over 4 years could only walk 150 feet with a cane. 5'8'', weight increased to 192 lbs before surgery, due to inactivity.

I had surgery at Duke Medical Center (Durham, NC) Dr. Vail, 3/31/03 at age 58. No special preparation. No transfusion required. I had local anesthesia, IV sedation and sub-dural spinal anesthesia. No general anesthesia. I was not aware of the surgery, or time passing.  Home 4 days later. I returned to work 17 days after surgery. These early days were rough until leg swelling went down. I worked as hospital based radiologist doing procedures on patients. No rehab at all. On crutches 4-6 weeks. I "Lost my cane" 4 weeks later, and just gradually returned to normal activity. I am not fond of formal exercise so no rehab, GYM, swimming, etc. I managed to slowly reduce my weight with diet.

11 months later I was able to Ski for a week in Snowmass Colorado (I am a very fast skier on groomed slopes.)

Incision healed with no special care. It was closed with subcutaneous sutures, & steri-strips. It is now barely noticeable.

Skied in March, 2005 at Park City, Utah (3 ski areas), & since then Summit County, CO, Vail, this year at park City,, Utah I am able to ride my bike, bowl, walk any distance, work in my garden, and enjoy my grandchildren.

I retired from my full-time Hospital Radiology practice in June 2005 at age 60 (after 29 years at this location). I interpret all modalities CT, MRI ,Ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine, routine X-ray, Fluoroscopy and more. Now, I cover other Radiologists periodically,

I have authored many posts on this site in the past regarding anesthesia, interpretation of imaging exams, bone densitometry, blood transfusions and other subjects including the role of the FDA with regard to clinical trials. They can't do anything unless Congress changes the law. It is up to the manufacturing company to request the final stages of the approval process.

Because it was a clinical trial, I also lost every level of appeal to BCBS of NC (the Plan administrator), but eventually got my real group insurance company through NC Medical Society to pay for my surgery at DUKE 14 months later.

My original cost, in 2003, was under $29,000. This was eventually reduced, and the insurance company paid much less (about $ 13- 14,000). The BCBS plans, and other insurance companies are now paying for FDA approved resurfacing devices.

The good news is that despite everyone's worries, very, very few of those posting on this site have not had good results with resurfacing, no matter where, or when performed.

Don't push too hard and everyone will eventually recover and return to the activities that they enjoy.

I am now 6 years post op, and generally never even remember about my former hip problems. I am again wondering if Candace C., and Eric G. are still looking at this site. They both had surgery at Duke about 6.5
years ago (in Durham, NC). I hope that they are doing well.

Best to all hippies!!

Michael (MD) in NC. (L) C+ 3/31/03, Dr. Vail.
Dr. Vail is now at UCSF Medical Center, where he is Chief of Orthopedics.
 
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