The time has come the walrus said ..... to have a hip replacement

[Judith]

Known I've been getting close to this point for some time, but now the X-ray says no cartilage left, and the doctor says, nothing else he can do!

Walked away with the names of two surgeons to contact.

So anybody on here can give me any advice, clues etc as to what to expect, and also any recommendations on recommended surgeons in this area ...

NormH, is this is something you might know about, you are at least in the right area geographically!

Many thanks

[NickP]

All I can tell you Judith is that our son had to have a hip replacement at the age of 40, due to having had septic arthritis as a toddler. He is so happy; as at last he is free from pain and has been able to stop taking pain killers. He had the op three years ago, two days in hospital in England and spent six weeks with us in France recuperating, I must say he worked extremely hard at the post operation physiotherapy, and indeed it has paid off. He left us after the six weeks and embarked on a world tour with a band, he is a tour manager. We were obviously very worried and kept in touch while he was in Australia Japan, America etc. but he reported only good news. He lives in London and when in town cycles everywhere, indeed had a fall off of his bike but all is still well. Next week he is taking part in a charity boxing match, and as you can imagine his mother is on tenterhooks, he just laughs and says he is now doing the things he couldn't do before, He has since the op also become a qualified rescue diver. So although all I wouldn't imagine that you would want to engage in any of those activities, it shows what a success this operation is. Good luck, but don't forget the physio is very important.

[Pierre ZFP]

Good for you Judith.

My lovely neighbour had her right hip done 3 years ago.  She could hardly walk and was in great pain.  This was even worse as she was looking after her severely unwell husband too.  She had the Op (in Germany) and within a few weeks was walking about pain free (well on the right side).  She said the physio and exercises were unpleasant at first but well worth persevering. Her family organised respite care for her husband and arranged a couple of weeks in a wellness/rehab centre too which looked super.

One thing she did say was that they got her up and about very soon after the Op, I knew someone years ago who had this and she had to stay still in bed for weeks.  How times change.

Anyway, it was so successful, she had the other hip done a year later.  We now joke that she is 'bionic' and will be training for the next Olympics [:)]

[Patf]

I had a hip replacement done in Auch, Gers, 10 years ago now. It went well, I was in hospital 3 weeks altogether, one week on surgical and 2 on "Re-education" ie lots of physio. The hospital even had a swimming pool.

I wouldn't know about a surgeon to recommend.  Hip ops. are fairly routine now, I think they use a different method to when I had mine done, which makes recovery quicker. And yes, they get you back on your feet ASAP.

If you have more detailed questions, just ask, (if I can remember.)

Luckily I had just got a carte vitale with an S1 so it didn't cost anything (except for the use of a phone.)

[Chancer]

You can search for the best rated hospital or clinique in your region using this site:

http://www.lexpress.fr/palmares/hopitaux/picardie/prothese-de-hanche

Its set for Picardie because you have not shown your location, you can select your region lower down.

 

The clinique in Abbeville whilst only showing in 3rd place I know to be a centre of excellence and the NHS sends hundreds of patients there a year so I do Wonder what criteria they use for the rankings, perhaps how much they are paid!

[Judith]

PatF,

Thanks, yes my sister has had both of hers done, but in the UK, so I don't know how it would change things.  Did you have a top-up mutuelle?  I don't so would have to pay the remainder (yes I have an S1 and carte vitale) but don't know if it is regarded as a necessary op (like my cataracts were) and thus 100% re-imboursed without a top-up.

I must admit, the feedback I am getting is that they work well - it's just that I have had so few operations in my life (apart from my cataracts and a finger problem once, I've only been in hospital for childhood illnesses, when they isolated you) so I am of course somewhat frightened of it, especially in another language!

[Judith]

Chancer,

Thanks, I knew there was a list somewhere!  I do give my region - in my sig - but no matter, Montpellier (3x) one in Cabestany and one in Nimes, and no 6 (ie the first one really local to me) is the one I have chosen!  Wow, and that without knowing only I got a "feel" when I looked at the web site which was operating in French and in English.  Comforting to know.  It is also easier to get there and to park there than some of the city centre hospitals.  I am feeling quite encouraged, thank you, as this morning I did book an appointment there ... for October, the first one I could get.

These rankings are always subjective, but it is a newish place (less than 10 years old) so I hope will give excellent care without problems.

[Patf]

We didn't have a topup at the time but it was covered 100% by CPAM.

 I think it depends on the hospital, how they run their finances. I remember asking the hospital Social worker whether I would have to pay anything and she didn't know!

Soon after I had to have stents put in and my 3 days in IC weren't covered 100%, so I had quite a big bill to pay. Same hospital.

[Pierre ZFP]

How could having stents put in not be considered a 'necessary Op' and 100% paid for?

[NormanH]

Sorry have been off-line with Internet problems so haven't been able to help.

One place to consider is here:

http://www.clinique-causse.com/

http://www.clinique-causse.com/specialites.php?page=orthopedie

I have had my non-cancer operations at

http://www.polyclinique-saintprivat.fr/

Which is very well placed  for my other problems

If you have a top-up there will be no problem with getting it all paid for.

The mutuelle may even fund a single room. Mine does as I consider it essential,so made sure it was included in mine,  but it depends on your contract.

It is also worth finding out if your Mutuelle will pay the 'forfait journalier' direct to the clinic..

Mine does both so I no longer have to deal with money as long as the clinic faxes them in advance for confirmation, but my old one 6 years ago didn't and I had to give both a chèque de caution  on arrival, and pay the extras before leaving and claim them back

[Patf]

Pierre - I asked CPAM about that. When I was admitted to hospital with chest pains a Dr. hadn't yet seen me to diagnose a heart condition.

Or so I think they explained. I did write to ask for a refund but didn't get anywhere.

It was only the initial 3 days in IC that I was charged for, after that I was covered 100%.

Very difficult to fathom out how the system works.

[NormanH]

You only get the 100% after a specialist has diagnosed the problem, your médecin traitant has written to apply for the cover and it has been accepted.

You then get a protocole de soins and a separate attestation (for the 100% cover).

Up to that point the system works on the normal basis, and I don't think that you get re-imbursed for the examinations or transport at 100% even if they have shown that there is a problem.

In practice it shouldn't make much difference if you have a mutuelle since that will pick up the part not paid by the Sécu.

[Patf]

Thanks Norman , that's how I worked it out.

The following year husband had a similar chest pain scare, spent 3 days in IC and was found clear.  We had another 30% bill to pay then. That's when we joined a mutuelle.

Sorry Judith for the thread drift, but hope it helps.

[Judith]

Many thanks, and apologies for the delay in acknowleging your various posts, everyone.  I was out at my Rotary club meeting last night, and no chance to reply. 

However, it turned out that one of our members (who herself has spent a year defeating breast cancer) knows the St Privat clinic and the surgeon (who by chance does speak English) as did her father's hip.  She tells me he his excellent, so I am much encouraged. And that you too have recommended it, NormF, helps me considerably to be relaxed about the whole thing.

When I asked the GP about clinics in the Beziers area (both Narbonne and Beziers are roughly 30mins drive away in different directions, so both possibles), I was thinking of the one in Colombiers, whose name I could not remember.  Now I can make a note, but I believe I am happy with the choice of St Privat.  I have an appt for 21 Oct, the first the surgeon can do, which means I can go on my holiday next week without feeling guilty that I should have cancelled and dealt with the hip!

[Judith]

PatF,

Don't worry about the thread drift, it helps me to work out what to do.  I am still considering what to do about a mutuelle, but further to my last post, I have time to organise one without having to rush now.

[NormanH]

If you choose either of the two close to here pm me if you need any more info..

[Judith]

NormF,

Many thanks.  I have booked at St Privat, my French friend, who has just overcome breast cancer so must be pretty familiar with the system by now, just happens to be an English translator (very useful) and she has said that she will go with me to help out ... even if it she is not a medical translator, I can do my research OK and understand what might be happening.  It is the subtleties of the French language which often escape me and which she gets each time!

I found the web site of St Privat very helpful, and very informative, which is one of the reasons I decided to go there ... for the moment I am happy with the information I have, but will PM you if I find I need advice that can only come from someone who has used the services. 

My time will be best spent now, I think, working out what I want from a mutuelle and getting that organised.  And I'm off on holiday in a week, so it is necessarily going onto the back burner now the appointment is made. 

[NormanH]

I have spent a lot of time there...

They even have a good emergency department, where I was treated in Nov 2014 and June 2015..

The only tips I can give are about the tiny administrative details that differ with each place.

Don't forget that some Mutuelles require you to join up a certain time in advance of any treatment. This is called a delai de carence 

Others don't so its something to think about

http://www.courtier-en-mutuelle.com/mutuelle-sans-delai-de-carence-souscription-et-prise-deffet-immediate.html

[Judith]

As ever, NormF, you give good advice.  This is not something I knew about. I'll move on with that soon as possible then, though I believe I have found one that applies immediately, it is not necessarily the cheapest quote, but then again, cheapest is not always best!

I'm encouraged that you have had such a good experience at St Privat, and as you have had your fair share of hospitalisation you can certainly speak from experience, for which many thanks.