Hear What Patients Have To Say / Patient Success Stories
Jeffrey Scott Lawrence
Thirty-eight years after Jeff was diagnosed with Perthes Disease in his right hip, he started to have severe pain in his left thigh bone. Jeff went to his orthopedic surgeon, who determined that he had Perthes Disease in his left hip as well. According to his doctor, less than 5% of people have Perthes in both hips. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a form of osteonecrosis of the hip that is found only in children.1 Perthes is a condition in children characterized by a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip. Without an adequate blood supply, the rounded head of the thigh bone (the "ball" of the "ball and socket" joint of the hip) dies. The area becomes intensely inflamed and irritated.2
Jeff said, "I had a difficult time doing normal activities such as walking the mall or taking a walk in the neighborhood without experiencing a shooting pain down my thigh." His surgeon started a regimen of cortisone shots to assist in alleviating the pain. This treatment worked for several months. Eventually, his surgeon recommended a total hip replacement for his left hip.
Jeff's hip was replaced with the M2a-Magnum™ Taperloc® Hip System. The M2a-Magnum™ Hip System has been carefully designed to provide maximum range of motion and ultra-low wear rates.3
"I envisioned a greater deal of pain and immobility after surgery," Jeff replied. He was able to work from home for a few weeks and was back working at his office half days by the beginning of the fourth week.
His new, left hip has more flexibility than his natural right hip. He knows he will have to have his right hip replaced in the next few years, but he is actually looking forward to it.
This article is meant solely as a human interest story and is not meant to constitute medical advice.
All surgeries carry risks. The main risks associated with a metal on metal hip such as the M2a-Magnum™ include, but are not limited to, metal sensitivities and/or ion release, sensitivity reactions, infection, bone or device fracture, loosening, ossification, inadequate range of motion, leg length inconsistency, and wear, any of which could result in additional surgery. If your surgeon chooses this device for your specific treatment, please discuss all the risks with your surgeon.
While the patient in this story is a true joint replacement recipient, his results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all joint replacement patients. The implant has been used successfully in achieving restored mobility to many patients. However, as with any implanted device, there are factors affecting performance which ultimately result in variable outcomes, including levels of mobility and pain. These factors include, but are not limited to, the patient's pre and post-operative health conditions, weight, activity level, and adherence to instructions regarding the use of the joint implants. Due to these variables, it is not possible to predict specific results or patient satisfaction. For additional information on the M2a-Magnum™ Taperloc® Hip System, including risks and warnings, talk to your orthopedic surgeon and visit Biomet.com.
The persons named in this article have consented to be named and have given Biomet, Inc. the exclusive right to use their personal and medical information for educational purposes.
1 National Osteonecrosis Foundation, http://www.nonf.org/perthesbrochure/perthes-brochure.htm
2 AAOS, http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00070
3 McKellop, et al.: "In VivoWear of Three Types of Metal-on-Metal Hip Prostheses During Two Decades of Use." CORR, No. 329, pp. 128-40, August 1996.
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