Infections, Psuedotumors - a Patient's Perspective by Alan

by Alan

March 28, 2009

"Any implant can get infected either at time of surgery or seeded later on. That includes valves, skull plates, ortho hardware and even dental implants. Just a fact of life. On psuedotumors, they are nothing new, just a sign of rejection by the body, a big immune complex if you will. Rice bodies, the same, essentially small immune complexes floating around inflamed joints seen in a number of inflamatory arthritis diseases........."

Posted on March 28, 2009

...in response to a new patient's post that was concerned about Pseudotumors and Hip Resurfacing

Hi all, feeling real well. Running for the past three weeks, two miles twice a week outside, bike 4-8 miles three to four times a week and swimming three times a week. Any stiffness from NOT exercising on days that I work (12 hour shifts) is relieved by working out. It was a bit early for the surgeon, but he said if it actually feels better, be careful go slow and...

Little bit of a scare at work, almost tripped on some wires hung up on the opperated side. Lifted my leg to free them at an odd angle and felt a sudden severe cramping in my hamstring. $hit I thought, just ruined it, while hobbling outside to lick my wounds, told someone that they would have to pickup my work. Proceeded to massage the area and then, it totaly went away in less than two minutes. In the past, would have immediately taken for what it was, a simple cramp. No residual pain, ran the next day and it is fine.

A little on paranoia.

.........Any implant can get infected either at time of surgery or seeded later on. That includes valves, skull plates, ortho hardware and even dental implants. Just a fact of life. On psuedotumors, they are nothing new, just a sign of rejection by the body, a big immune complex if you will. Rice bodies, the same, essentially small immune complexes floating around inflamed joints seen in a number of inflamatory arthritis diseases. In fact, they seem to make the diagnosis of metal sensitivity (which can be due to high wear or intolerance to normal wear) easier. Sugeons have known about this and that is why persons with unexplained pain are offered conversion, in part because metal sensitivity is assumed. As I have said before, the numbers seem to be small enough and the benifit good enough that I would reccomend this proceedure to anyone that fits the criteria. I would NOT ignore any pain that gets worse or that does not abate in a week or so as it could indicate developing sensitivity. If that happens, conversion is needed to avoid tissue damage.

My criteria for considering this proceedure was the answer to the question would it last 5-10 years. It looks like the vast majority of us will surpass that. I think most of us have been blessed by this. I cannot only walk, but can run and bike painfree. Who knows, metal allergies may be treated like other allergies in the future. Time and research. Other alloys, other types of resurfacing materials?

Had a discussion with my surgeon about how long the thing will last and yes it is unclear. The cement can last over thirty years but no experience with pounding that long. Oh well, raining today, will go on the hated spin bike and treadmill.

alan, edwin su (a nice guy) halloween '08

.....a Patient's Perspective