Hip Resurfacing

What is Hip Resurfacing?

In hip resurfacing surgery, the head of the femur is trimmed to a rounded shape, followed by covering it with a metal cap. The cup joint of the hip is then fitted with a corresponding metal cup. The procedure is bone conserving because most of the joints are retained.

The hip is a joint with a ball and socket. The top of the thigh bone (femoral head) is a smooth, rounded surface that fits into the hip socket (acetabulum). The bones are covered with smooth cartilage that lets them glide against each other when you move. It’s common for this joint to experience wear and tear as you get older, especially if you develop arthritis as you age. Osteoarthritis is a kind of arthritis that happens at the ends of the bones. It breaks down cartilage, causing swelling, pain, and deformity.

In a traditional total hip replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage from your hip and replaces them with man-made parts. These bones are then replaced with a new head and socket. The head is usually metal and the socket hard plastic.

Indications for Hip Resurfacing

Hip resurfacing is most appropriate for physically active patients with good bone quality and adequate femoral and acetabular bone stock. Such patients will generally be under the age of 65. However, patients with the following indications are also suitable for hip resurfacing.

• Primary Osteoarthritis
• Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis
• Secondary Osteoarthritis
• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head if remaining bone stock is adequate
• Inflammatory arthritis if bone quality is adequate
• Patients with a deformity of the femur and/or internal fixation device that would make insertion of a stemmed femoral component difficult
• Patients with a high risk of dislocation

Diagnosis

Your orthopaedic surgeon will perform certain examinations to diagnose your condition. The common inquiries and tests may include:

• X-ray analysis
• Enquiring about your pain
• Any past injuries on or around the affected area
• Physical tests
• MRIs

Benefits of Hip Resurfacing Surgery

• The natural shape of the joint is restored with better stability.
• This surgery ensures longevity and higher levels of patient activity as compared to traditional hip replacement surgery.
• Minimum bone is removed
• Faster recovery than total hip replacement because less bone is removed.
• It is much easier to remove implants in hip resurfacing since less bone is removed. The implant usually lasts between 10-20 years of the procedure.
• Patients start walking within a couple of days and have normal walking patterns when compared to total hip replacement.
• The chances to dislocate their hip are quite less as the size of the ball is large.

How Hip Resurfacing Surgery is Performed?

• An incision (cut) is made by the surgeon in your thigh at the hip joint. Then the femoral head is taken out of the socket, and with the help of surgical equipment, it is trimmed. A metal cap is pasted on top of the femoral bone.
• The cartilage that lines the socket is removed and the metal cup is pushed into the spot. It will be held in place by friction between the bone and metal. The femoral head is relocated back into the socket, and the surgeon closes and stitches up the incision.
• After your operation, you will be taken to a recovery room and watched by nurses as you come out of anaesthesia. Most people leave the hospital after 1 to 4 days.