Arthritis was diagnosed in my left leg when I was about 54. It started when I felt a sharp pain in the groin after sprinting toward the net playing tennis. Thought it was a groin strain but the physio was sure it was hip arthritis. Eventually saw a consultant. Didn’t feel very confident in the first guy so decided to use the consultant who had operated on my shoulder a few years before.
My understanding of the normal THR method is that when it wears out or fails the whole prosthesis has to be removed from the femur and replaced with a new one. This is clearly quite a big job. The surgeon who operated on both my hips is Ian Bacarese-Hamilton. He works from the Princess Grace Hospital in London and does NHS work at the Whittington Hospital. His method seems to vary slightly from mainstream thinking. He uses a shorter but fatter implant into the femur. The prosthesis also features a module which can be changed when it wears out. This means that the stem of the prosthesis does not need to be removed from the femur.
Had my left hip done 3 years ago at 59 years, the second one 14 days ago at 62. Operation carried out privately at King Edward 7th Hospital in Marylebone. Excellent facilities, staff and care. They also have a hydrotherapy pool which is great for post-op exercise.
Seems a bit easier this time round. Was playing tennis after 3 months last time and think it could be sooner with this one. Would recommend the op and my surgeon to anyone. Any specific questions please ask.
Andy Murray is hoping to play tennis at Wimbledon this year after his hip op. He had the Birmingham hip resurface. Good luck to him.
This sounds like the Birmingham method, can you confirm?
That is what was said on the news so I assume they got it right.
I’ll certainly be watching with interest to see how quick and well he recovers.
My op was a total hip replacement (porcelain and titanium) not the Birmingham hip method. I was intrigued to hear that Murray had opted for the Birmingham hip as there have been so many surgeons being sued for the toxic after effects. My surgeon said it was hard to get anyone to carry out that type of procedure in the UK. No doubt I will find out on my follow up
yes I have a feeling he will play singles again. Don’t think the long term implications are good with that type of procedure though
Yes, my neighbour had the Birmingham hip and was very happy with it, but my own Dr has refused to recommend me for it on the NHS. Says he is happier going straight for the total hip using ceramic and expects a much longer life from it!
I think the main thing is to go by the advice of your consultant as they know what will suit your lifestyle the best. All I’m seeking is a pain free more active one. Might visit Wimbledon but definitely won’t be playing there .
I think the Birmingham hip was very popular a while back, but with the metal on metal scare and improved full hip replacement techniques it seemed to go out of fashion. I am not sure what sort of resurface Andy Murray had for his first op done by the surgeon in Oz. A friend had the Birmingham hip done over ten years ago and does twenty five mile runs every weekend, rain or shine.
I’m not sure if this is what you mean, but yes, there are more surgeons these days who are replacing the plastic liner in the acetabular socket and keeping the ball and the acetabular cup … That’s sort of a minimal revision …