Before it can get a dr appt for failed THR I had to send pre op & post op records first.

Bones, joints and muscles
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I had a THR done and then It failed in less than a year MOM THR..That part was concealed from me as I asked about the hip design before surgery.

Just reciently I wanted to make a appt with a orthopedic speciality clinic with drs that specialize in hip revision surgery.. Removing the parts completely then reinstalling a new hip. I was directed to a revision dept . I was told that in order to get a appt. I needed to send in copies of the pre op & post op surgery reports for the 2 docs at the hip clinic that only specialize in revision surgery can review them first before they can accept me as a patient.

I asked what if I were rejected due to my surgical reports silence went over the question...I then asked could they refer me to others who specialize in revision? Oh yes... I asked where are the office located... 70 away.

this hospital & clinic was only 20 minutes away vs 1&1/2 hours away if I am rejected,depending on if there are no serious traffic jams.

I'm sorry sending in my operation reports first before an appt is made in a recall THR situation just added more salt to the wound. I have read the op reports very clearly done electronically. Their r the typical reports filled out electronically before and after operations of this type even the signature of the surgeon is electronically generated.

Just one more hurdle I have had to jump since the recall of STRYKER is the manufacturer and ABGll is the design type.

It seems like once I told the hip clinic to set up an appt.  was for a STRYKER RECALL hip red flags went up. I was only told they may or may not accept my case once they have reviewed my op. Records.... One of the owners of this clinic  did replace my other hip before he retired. I thought I would be welcomed for a appt. No it's a recall no matter what these doctors have got it down to protect the clinic.. The appt clerk was very polite although I was ready to rip her a new one I was polite as the teeth marks left on my tongue  told a different story. I have lost count of all the hurdles so far.

The first clinic I went to took me as a patient with no prerequisites...I wanted another opinion in this case therefor the appt issue. Revision surgery has a higher risk of complications & rehab is months longer. I want a good surgeon & the opportunity to find one.

I have been trying to get help for the past two years most of my complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Gone thru with the tests required by the STRYKER MOM heavy metal blood tests...no one asked for those tests with the pre op or post op reports,  or X-rays showing displacement, pseudo tumors and nerve impingement for the appt. Review op records only?

I get it revision is a complicated surgery ... But they didn't ask for my recent X-rays or cat scans only the op reports and the serial # of the STRYKER HIP.

What does that say about our medical industry today!  

Patients health and better value of life is on hold . I am discouraged.. All

this constant hassle from one surgeon who left my state after the hip joint recall , who knowingly put a metal on metal pieces in the hip design in (it's been known since the 60's metal on metal in the THR design was bad.) Now I'm stuck trying to undo the mess with little corporation from the medical industry who caused this issue in the first place.My other hip is fine going on 15 years old.

 I am included in a class action law suit against STRYKER the manufacturer 

only. It's almost impossible to prove the surgeon knew that the metal pieces in the design would cause the hip to be recalled. AHH.. NO COMMENT....

This is painful & totally life changing. I cannot do much due to the pain.. Yet there really is no help or peace just disappointment after disappointment. 

After this last blow (operative reports before appt issue ) has left me depressed and defeated. Of course this law suit will not be settled for years... In my late 60's ,lawyers take 33&1/3. All I'm asking for is to bring back the quality of my life I had before the STRIKER HIP ABGll implant/RECALL.

This is so exhausting along with FIbrimyalgia I am not a happy camper.

So this is a delimna I need UR help with support and a solution u can suggest will be greatly appreciated.

 

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Hi hope4cure.

Thank you for replying to my post about dizzy spells. Which in contrast to what your going through sounds like nothing and i should probably stop moaning. You are having to deal with so much. 

Unfortunately I don't have much advice to give you but want to let you know that I hope you manage to get your appt and the reversal and that you get more mobility soon. 

Living in constant pain is so depressing and I hope you have the love and support around you to help. 

Sending hugs

Emma

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THANKX so much Emma I appreciate UR response & understanding. Never feel UR in a lesser situation, UR dizzy issues r a warning that something is wrong.. Serious or not it's unnerving to feel something that is happening to u & u have no idea what it is.. The not knowing is the worst part. I tried to give u alternative ideas for UR dizziness to discuss with UR dr if need be.Take care.

 

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Where are you located? UK or ?

Some thoughts:

If in the US, by law you are entitled to every medical record.

If in the US, what kind of insurance do you have that seems to require a referral? [That's what I'm picking up on....could be wrong.] Can't you just call and make an appointment with a specialist?

If the surgical team rejects you on the basis of what they've read, then you probably don't want them anyway.

 

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CA-Lynn.

u asked a good question.. I did call for an appt with a revision specialist. 

I was told that before they will make an appointment they need the pre and post op reports from the hip implant first. Then the revision docs will review them then let me know if they will accept my case. They have made this quite clear. This is what ticked me off. I will have to call the class action law suit attorney regarding this issue Monday..

this has really nothing to do with insurance coverage. I am finding that this is another hoop I have had to jump thru,  to get appropriate medical care. 

THANKX for UR support I really need all I can get. This is so exhausting . 

For 2&1/2 years I have run into one stumbling block after another. 

The revision surgeon I have seen has said I have nothing on the X-rays or cat scans to show my pain or reason for revision.. Blood tests for heavy metal poisoning r within the normal range. Yet I read the test results find the report states the implant had slipped.. Well there's all the pain that they seem to ignore. I am a shadow of who I was. I can only lay flat on my bed walking & sitting is excruciating.

there is a way out I will find it . I have come this far. I have all my med records on hand.. I had to obtain them all for obvious reasons. 

Any other questions I will be happy to answer.

 

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It would have helped had you indicated whether you are in the UK or elsewhere, as this would have helped the reader to understand whether or not you are under a socialized medicine plan. Knowing this, appropriate responses could be made.

 

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Oh yeah sorry about that. I'm in the UK x

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I hope that I have clarified my post.

i thank u for UR reply. I am on a socialized ins program called Medicare. Some what similar to the UK.but there was no discussion regarding my ins coverage at the time of appt. It was the fact that my hip failed and required a revision & was recalled by the manufacturer. Hence the copy of the hip pre-op & post-op reports was required in order for the revision docs to review in order to take May case. But the insurance coverage has nothing to do with the patient dr appt. Issue.

i dont quite get where the issue is... I hope I have cleared up the issue. Sorry to cause any misunderstandings.

plz excuse my typing I have curled fingers from psotiatic arthritis and do the best I can. THANKX 

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My apologies.....I'm trying to get used to this forum and I screwed up the posts between Emma [in the UK] and Hope [in the US]. My bad. My apologies.

That said, for those with this problem in the US, my recommendation would be to contact the closest medical school with major hospital; find out who does hip replacements there; send an email or call the orthopedics professor and ask for names who are really experienced with revision surgery and who would be willing to take on a case that involves and implant under legal scrutiny.

My concern would be that any attorney involved in a class action suit will have his own MD's as expert witnesses. The same doctors may or may not be the best for you. [My skepticism tells me that they might want to "preserve the evidence" for their case and not operate.]

[I'm in the US.]

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CA ,

THE manufacturer recalled my THR. STRYKER is the manufacturer. The whole US is aware of this recall ant that is why a revision is necessary. The whole implant has to be removed. 

The university here has been contacted and notified UR spot on the university professor is my revision dr. The model #parts info with manufacturer is on record and by STRYKER . The revision surgeon must be familiar with the model to remove it and implant a new device made by yep STRYKER . The loop hole there is the manufacturer must supply the replace parts in order for the dr so fee to be paid .That's my point no one wants to do a recall due to the complexity of this new model to remove. I have been in limbo for two years with this implant causing corrosion pseudo tumors and heavy metal poisoning. I have been doin the testing every six months required by the manufacturer. No one will step up to the plate... Until my tests show the hip must be replaced. Yet my tests show it has slipped and I am in agonizing pain every day . It simply is inexcusable that physicians r so incredibly restricted by medical restraints thru big med corps and manufacturers. 

The law suit is against the manufacturer only not the physicians. They have no knowledge of my active participation in the class action law suit against STRYKER THE MANUFACTURER.there is no legal connection. 

The attorney involved in the class action suit represents clients from many states and he is located 3 states away . The firm has patients from Alaska to New Jersey

I have 2 experienced revision surgeons that is not the issue. I want the chance to choose what dr I feel is more effective not in revisions. Not many do revisions yet. I may have to go out of state. There will be more hip revision surgeons once  all us baby boomers begin to need more THR.

Only if my case goes to court alone a single case will they need to have pics of the implants for court. This will not go to court as a single case. It is a class action with hundreds involves. A single judge will make the decision on the fines and the attorney's fee is 33&1/3% of the total judgement against STRYKER. MANY judgements have already been made against Stryker only. One reciently in New Jersey. My statute of limitations I'd up. Two years from the implant surgery is the time placed for filing a claim against the manufacturer.

What totally unglued me is that the dr did know there were metal on metal pieces in the joint design, lied to me when I asked.. Since The 60's it has been known when metal on mental implants wear againt metal causing metal poisoning many complications & even death.

I guess my partner better take life insurance out on me.LOL

so here I sit in limbo trying to work it out now for 2 years. I have followed thru on all the tests and prerequisites and now I just have to continue to bite my tongue be polite contine the proceedures follow the process until I am either crippled or die.... That is the reality.. See online STRYKER ABGll hip joint recall for more info it will blow u away. It's all there in black and white . That's why I cannot understand all the hoops I have had to jump thru to remove this device.

i cannot begin to tell u all how incredibly belligerent everyone involved has been from collecting records insurance companies testing to docs. 

Anyway I did want to clear up some of UR questions. If I ever get my life back I will be the first to hold a rodeo in my front yard with wrangler wearing boot scootin cowboys hotter than a August day in Montana. And UR invited.

Thankx for UR support it so nice to know someone cares enought to put the effort in u have in my mess.

many blessing sent UR way.

((( hugs)))

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You're really caught between a rock and a hard place. I think it comes down to either [1] being at the revisionist MD's mercy or [2] going out of the country for surgery, where the lawsuit isn't a factor.

Here's a thought:  the lawsuits against Stryker that have been settled are public record. Have you thought of contacting the plaintiff's and finding out if they subsequently had surgery and who did it?

You've shed light on what actually goes on in the struggles of doctors and drug and medical appliance companies.

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Thank you.. Great idea.. I will ck with the attorney . He has clients from Alaska to New Jersey .

he has mentioned judges make the final ruling and clients t protected by law. If it were a justly trial it would be public knowledge. 

It wouldn't hurt to check on it again.

thanks for ue support ..