And the countdown begins…

My opinion of orthopedic surgeons is a matter of record. In a word: arrogant.

So it is with no small measure of surprise that I tell you how unconceited were the three orthopedists I have recently met in my quest towards hip replacement surgery.

In my last post, the first surgeon (Dr. David) admitted that he had no experience doing hip replacement in a “patient like me,” and he referred me to Dr. Bolognesi at Duke.

As often happens when I’m nervous, my anxiety had shifted into overdrive and, by the time I was in the exam room, I worried whether Dr. Bolognesi would recommend revision surgery before a hip replacement could be done. As usual, my anxiety was for naught.

Dr. B. immediately put me at ease.

“Hi, I’m Mike.” [he had me at “Hi”]

Both he and his resident (who had talked to and examined me before Dr. B. arrived) had obviously reviewed my X-rays, MRI and doctor’s notes before entering the exam room. Due to the forward tilt of my pelvis, Dr. B. said I would likely benefit from a new technology to help ensure the new hip joint was placed at the correct angle. He told me about his colleague, Dr. Wellman (great name for a doctor, don’t you think?), who was trained in Boston where the technology originated, and recommended that I confer with him.

Coincidentally, Dr. Wellman had had a cancellation and I was able to get an appointment for the next day [my friend Michele said that’s a sign from the universe, telling me it’s time to finally have this surgery].

Dr. W. proved to be as informed and thorough as Dr. B. Because he practices at Duke, Dr. W. treats some of the most complicated joint replacement cases -- often requiring reconstruction -- but in my case, the challenge is determining the correct angle. Therefore, my hip replacement surgery will require “more planning” than usual, specifically a CT scan beforehand. The results of that test -- entered into a software program – will give Dr. W. the guidance he needs to correctly place my new hip joint.

My parents and I consulted with three different orthopedic surgeons before agreeing to let the third – Dr. Hugo Keim – perform my spondylolisthesis fusion in September 1975. Although high-risk, that surgery was a resounding success.

Thirty-seven years later, I’m hopeful the third surgeon will again be “the charm” in September.