| Stan Jakubowski 1/17/02 Dr. Gross |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Gross performed my surgery (metal on metal hip resurfacing / replacement utilizing the Cormet 2000 by Corin) on Jan. 17, 2002. I am a 49 year old male, employed as an airfreight expediter. Considerable amounts of physical activity are required. My social activities and hobbies all revolve around the outdoor life, construction and movement. I’ve spent 9 years building a cabin / retreat in the Superior National Forest on a 40 acre parcel we own. The restrictions imposed by a standard total hip replacement (THR), max weight and movement, could have made completion of this project impossible. All materials are transported along logging roads and then carried to site, over ridges and bogs. Our dream has been to retire to this retreat. M/M resurfacing eliminates the maximum weight restriction of 20-50 lbs and all movement restrictions. I have in the past taught martial arts. Former students had approached me and ask that I instruct their children or work with them privately. I had been forced to decline … the replacement I sought may make it possible to perform the required movements again. In 1998, while running to answer a phone, I felt a pop in my hip. It felt like my hip popped in and out of its socket. The pain was intense but faded. I was sore for a few months but gradually improved. The discomfort would reappear with weather changes. Over the next year my occasional soreness increased to a chronic pain and limp. I finally saw my family physician. She prescribed meds but to no avail. I was then sent for x-rays. Upon viewing the x-rays I was referred to an OS. He sent me for an MRI. When we finished discussing my films, I was handed information on hip replacement. He suggested I try to hold off as long as possible and that I'd know when it was time. He was also surprised that I was still walking. By August of 2000 I could no longer haul material to work on the cabin. My wife and sister-in-law carried everything to site and did most of the heavy work. By 2000, I found myself supporting myself on tables, counters etc. I yielded to a cane. Whenever I stood up, I would have to remain stationary for a minute or two .... to let my hip settle in. Even then I wasn't certain it would hold. Work was becoming almost impossible. I knew I was in sad shape when a few of the younger guys (who normally would not offer to help) would sprint past me and retrieve whatever I was going for. Knowing that hip replacement was in my near future, I wanted to know as much as possible about the surgery, devices available, revisions and quality of life. My research directed me to the internet site - Totally Hip. It was here that I first heard of "surfing", and was directed to: activejoints.com and SurfaceHippies (Yahoo Groups). While reviewing their message database(s) I was amazed that anyone would travel "out of state / country" for hip surgery. I learned of various FDA IDE studies and was curious ... would I qualify? Were any of the surgeons and hospitals in my policy? How many resurfacings had they done? Were the patients pleased with the results? I finally decided to forward a copy of my x-rays to Dr. Gross. Within two days I received a call (at work) from Dr. Gross and Lee Webb. I did qualify. Questions were answered, no punches pulled, conditions listed. We set a date, pending insurance approval. My insurance company initially denied coverage. I had to cancel my surgery date. I asked Lee to save a device for me ... I'd be there. I lost two internal appeals. The next option would be an external review board. I needed to slow things down, and get someone's personal attention. I researched my insurance company, and discovered the name of the President / CEO of their parent company. I documented my case (about 40 pages) and forwarded the material to him. He sent the material to the CEO of my insurance company. She promptly gave it to the Medical Director. I gave him a day or two to review the material and then called him. He did not question the effectiveness of the procedure or device but my policy did not cover experimental or investigative procedures. His hands were tied. He seemed sincere ... I reread every page of the policy .... even the glossary. I needed to find a loophole. There it was (in the glossary) : the Medical Director could deem a device or procedure that was defined as experimental or investigative ... non investigative or experimental. I took a deep breath and carefully composed another letter and sent it off. In two days I received a call ... approval was granted. Surgery was rescheduled. The last weeks were the hardest. I don't know if I could have fought this battle without the support of my wife (Janelle), Cate Deicher (a dancer who fought the insurance company and finally got then to cover the C2K ... she was also my mentor in fighting the insurance company) , Sara Davis ( a singer, who was moved into my original surgury date after I was initially denied coverage)and Trudy Roland (bi-lateral C2K's ... we provided moral support to each other through the insurance battles). Travel was easier than I expected. The secret - book an aisle seat, and travel light. Take only one small carry-on with a shoulder strap. You may not have everything you want but you'll have everything you'll need. Take advantage of the wheelchair service at the airports. On my return trip, my cab driver arranged for a wheelchair to take me to the gate. I then informed the agent that I would require a wheelchair upon landing. While in-flight I mentioned this to the flight attendant. If you find a cab driver that you like ... reward him, get his card, and use him on any return visits. He'll remember you and take good care of you. I had an epidural ... surgery was painless. I was in recovery long enough to verify that there was no nerve damage and then I was transferred to my room. My wife (an R.N.), was amazed at the lack of post-op pain / discomfort. I survived the "hip chair" the following morning, and was using a walker later that afternoon. The following morning I was trained to use crutches and that afternoon to manage stairs. The post-op discomfort was less than the pain I experienced pre-op. No physical therapy was required, other than that which I received during my hospital stay. I was given a simple set of exercises to perform while I was recovering. Initially I had an above average risk of dislocation ... yes, even with the 52 mm ball. Dr Gross insisted I wear a leg brace (to prevent an inward and upward movement) whenever I traveled for the first six weeks. How am I now? - GREAT. At my six-month checkup all restrictions were lifted. What can I do now that was a problem? Where do I start :-) I can walk pain free as far as I want (w/o a cane), I can get into a truck and drive again. Lifting my leg over my Harley is not a problem ... I'm planning on riding to SD & WY from Chicago this summer for the Sturgis Rally. All weight and movement restrictions have been removed (as of my 6 month checkup). I don't believe it is recommended to jog / run, Corin (mfg of implant) stated in a study that the wear increases 10 fold while jogging vs. walking but this is still less than the wear rate of a poly THR. So jogging / running has been ruled out by me. I started playing at the gym around the one year mark ... adduction with 120 lbs is not a problem. I could probably handle quite a bit more but I wimp out. Abduction has been limited to 70 pounds ... it's starting to take effort ... and again I stop not because of pain or discomfort but just playing it safe and taking it slow. Squats I limit to 60 - 70 percent of body weight ... same reason.. I spent my vacation (Aug 2002) ... building a cabin in the Superior National Forest ... I've spent the last 9 years working on this ... 2 weeks at a time! Photos and details are available on my website (http://flashpages.prodigy.net/sjwolf). Just go to: about us ... cabin story. I don't have an outhouse ... just an out ... 2 logs spanned by a 2x4 ... seat height about 14 inches ...no problem ... no dislocation. Hauled lumber back to the building site, cut and installed rafters for a woodshed, laid wood floor, used a chainsaw to cut up 2 trees, split that wood, cut a 6 foot log into a bench for use by our fire ring and more! Prior to surgery I was unable to step into the woodshed ... I needed a step / stair and I still had to pull myself up. Now - the step is gone and I keep going :-) People tell me I look ten years younger. The pain displayed on my face and voice is gone. I'm now 55 ... surgery was seven years ago. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
