I would like to have some reasons why a 2nd time full hip replacement can come loose approx. 3 to 4 years after the surgery. My mother is 80 years old and in extreme pain where she can barely get around to get her food, etc. I would like to know also, what needs to be done to take care of this problem. According to the Dr. after a MRI & Bone Scan it is loose where it goes into the leg. Thank you as I am completely fustrated and cannot get this doctor to understand that she can barely maneuver on her own and he just takes his good old time about giving us any answers. He had test results for 3 days and finally responded to our umpteenth call.

-- Claudia Kaufman (ckaufman@dressel1.com), June 30, 2000

Answers

Claudia, My husband had a hip repaced in l997 and the other replaced in l999. He had some problems with the first surgery, but after that, all has gone very well so far. But I think when a doctor is so unconcerned, maybe you need to get another opinion. What does he say needs to be done. Frankly, I'm very disgusted with some of the cavalier attitudes that doctors have toward patients. I do hope you get some answers.

My heart goes out to your mother. My poor mother suffered from two broken hips before she died at age 95.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), June 30, 2000.

I agree with Claudia Kaufman: it is indeed time to look for another doctor. It isn't so easy when a patient has a long history with a doctor, but it is not impossible to do. First you need to find a doctor who will accept new patients (I've gone through this with my own 82 y/o mother who now lives with us). Then, make sure you get a Patient Information Release form from her first doctor and bring it with you to the new one. All of your mother's medical records will then be transferred. NO ONE should have to put up with being ignored or being pushed aside by a medical care provider. There are plenty of physicians to go around, so if you are not happy with the one you are seeing, then by all means, look for a new one.

Hip replacements are very exacting surgeries. I know....I have one of my own (and, an artifical knee). What you need is someone who is very willing to be involved with her care, as I'm sure you know. Good luck to you and please, write to this board again and keep us posted.

M. Shanahan, Volunteer The ON/AVN Support Group International

-- Marie Shanahan (MarieS1520@aol.com), July 01, 2000.

find another doctor,I had a full hip replacement 5 yrs ago, after 6mos I had trouble trying to remember which hip it was I am younger and returned to work as an emt full time in 7 weeks,I worked hard to regain the rom and did it.I am now recovering from a complete replacement of the other hip.Yes thats two hip replacements.I am now 51 years old.This is week 7 again.I am older and it has healed more slowly,but I will be returning back to work this week.As an emt I have seen many new hips go bad sometimes from pt bad habits or slips but also from doctors that use the wrong sizes or products.I was treated at the mass gen hosp. in boston by a great doctor,very careful and thorough.Seek a second opinion if you don't feel your mom did the precautions ,there are only a few.good luck jim y

-- JIM YENOWSKAS (TMAX52@AOL.COM), May 13, 2003.

You should visit this website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/hip/hiprepqa.htm

-- Robert Toussie (RobertToussie@aol.com), March 15, 2004.