Hip Resurfacing…the New Hip Replacement Surgery

Some patients with hip arthritis requiring surgery now have another surgical option! Traditional hip replacement surgery requires the replacement of the ball and the socket of the hip joint. During Hip Resurfacing surgery, the socket is replaced but the ball of the hip is covered rather than replaced. (See figure 1). This procedure conserves bone and, if necessary, can be converted to a traditional hip replacement in the future. Hip Resurfacing can certainly be considered less invasive. Recovery time may still be quicker than traditional hip replacement surgery.

Following the procedure, patients having Hip Resurfacing may return to near normal activities. This may not be entirely possible after Hip Replacement surgery. The difference is that Hip resurfacing allows patients to perform higher impact sports. Your surgeon will explain restrictions, although limited, after Hip Resurfacing surgery.

Hip resurfacing has been performed in Europe for more than 13 years. 11 ½ year results have been presented and show that patients appropriately selected to have the Hip Resurfacing procedure have a success rate of more than 99%! During a recent communication with an early designer of the Hip Resurfacing implant, emphasis was placed on proper patient selection to insure excellent results. Your surgeon can explain the criteria for Hip resurfacing.