I found my way to Dr. Su of the Hospital for Special Surgeries by way of Dr. Bryan Kelly also of HSS seeking his advise since I had found I had another labral tear, a hip impingement and bone on bone OA of the right hip. Dr. Su gave me the option of either a THR or hip resurfacing. I wanted hip resurfacing, but was concerned because I had had a reaction to bone cement when I had a temporary crown 10 years ago (when I did not know I was going to need a hip replacement). The temporary crown was made of bone cement. My tongue and cheek became irritated and the dentist said that I was probably allergic to it and that it was bone cement the same cement they use in hip replacements. I remembered it and asked Dr. Su about a potential allergy. He felt it was unlikely but was able to find me a clinical trial out of Wayne state to send blood samples to. They were testing allergic responses to surgical material. I was found to be allergic to bone cement and Dr. Su was able to get me Biomet cementless devices which were just being manufactured. So I am extremely happy I had the crown! It is amazing how things happen for a reason. I was Dr. Su's first cementless procedure. I believe he has done another since then. It was a little scary since Biomet only sent one implant. They are still working on their availability of sizes. It fit like a glove Dr. Su said. So the surgery went very well.

The HSS is a wonderful Hospital. I had a room on the East River and was able to watch the boats go by, it was very peaceful. My body felt truly at peace, with the pain of OA gone! The staff were very attentive, with Dr. Su checking in daily. I went home after 3 nights. My recovery went well and was able to walk on the beaches of the Outer Banks, NC. on day 10, up to a mile at a time (with crutches). I was limp free at a month(even though I had been limping for 5 years). I was back to work teaching as a physical education teacher at 7 weeks. I now am playing volleyball, demonstrating skill while I teach, tennis, golf, coaching soccer (running up and down the field).

I am still working on my strength of my glutials and some of my range of motion. I continue to improve and am very grateful to have my life back. I have a wonderful Chiropractor (Dr. Mike Tancredi) that has worked on me with ART and Graston Technique to address issues in my iliopsosas, back, rib cage, arm and neck. From years of being slightly torqued because my hip was tipped and it affected the rest of my body. My left foot was also highly affected from years of primarily weight bearing on it as I stood most of the day teaching. When I began walking correctly it began to be stressed with arch and heel, toe pain. I am still working through the foot pain at 1 and ½ years out of surgery. I just began prolotherapy which is helping. I love my new hip and am very grateful that I was able to get a cementless prosthetic!

Nancy Kupferschmidt
Dr. Su 7-6-07, Right Biomet Cementless