| I was horrified to learn I had developed Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in my hip. I was in pain and agony, walking with a limp and on sick leave from my job for 6 months - I was almost about to lose my livelihood. Doctors did MRI scans and tried medications, crutches, Physiotherapy, but nothing worked for me. Few surgeons advised me Total Hip Replacement (THR) and few advised me Hip Resurfacing. How to choose? I somehow realised that those doctors who were recommending a THR were not doing Resurfacing themselves, and those who had advised Resurfacing were not regular THR surgeons but wanted to ‘push’ resurfacing. Also, I was scared about metal on metal joints and worried about what metal ions might do to my body. |
| I searched the Internet and made enquiries with different hospitals to find a suitable surgeon, but was very confused. In desperation, I sent an e-mail to a leading Orthopaedic surgeon abroad asking for advice, and he suggested Dr Ameet Pispati’s name. Dr Pispati performs large numbers of Hip Resurfacings, Total Hip Replacements and Revision Hip replacements, so I was assured I would get an unbiased opinion from him. |
Dr Ameet Pispati assessed me, my x rays and scans in detail and said I was not suitabe for a Hip Resurfacing as my AVN was progressive with extensive destruction of the femoral head ,and this could lead to early failure if Hip Resurfacing was performed. As the whole femoral head was involved, including the base of the femoral head, I was not even suitable for a BMHR procedure. Dr Pispati suggested an Extra Large head metal on metal THR (Stemmed Resurfacing) if I was ok with having a metal on metal joint. He explained the hard facts about metal on metal joints to me and summarised all the available data to me. I was convinced and I underwent a Stemmed resurfacing (Extra Large head metal on metal THR). |
Whilst I was in hospital, the patient on the neighbouring bed had undergone a 36 head Ceramic on Ceramic THR performed by Dr Pispati. I am in touch with this other patient and he too has been fully cured of his arthritis by the THR. |
| I myself can walk long distances, sit on the floor when required, climb many flights of stairs every day, squat deeply to use an Indian toilet and am even able to go trekking every few months. Recently, whilst on a holiday, I even managed to do Bungee jumping! |
| Special thanks to Dr Pispati and his team for rejuvenating my life and saving my job!!! |
- Mr Kulkarni (Total Hip Replacement) |
