Hip Resurfacing

• Introduction
• Resurfacing
• Arthritis
• Diagnosis
• Indications & Advantages
• Pre-operation
• Day of your surgery
• Surgical procedure
• Post-operation course
• Special Precautions
• Risks and complications
• Summary

A Hip Resurfacing or bone conserving procedure replaces the acetabulum (hip socket) and resurfaces the femoral head. This means the femoral head has some or very little bone removed and replaced with the metal component. This spares the femoral canal.

Find out more about Hip Resurfacing with the following tabs

Introduction

Hip replacement has become necessary for your arthritichip This is one of the most effective operations known and should give you many years of freedom from pain.

If your arthritis that has not responded to conservative treatment, you may well be a candidate for a resurfacing procedure of the hip.

Resurfacing

A standard hip replacement technique replaces the acetabulum (hip socket) and the places a femoral component inside the femur (thigh bone). Hip Resurfacing or bone conserving procedure replaces the acetabulum (hip socket) in the same way but resurfaces the femoral head. This means the femoral head has some or very little bone removed that is replaced with the metal component. This spares the femoral canal.

Resurfacing procedures may be indicated in the young patients (usually less than 55 years of age) who have osteoarthritis and wishes to maintain an active lifestyle. It is a more conservative and less traumatic alternative to Total Hip Replacement (THR).

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term covering numerous conditions where the joint surface (cartilage) wears out. The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface that allows pain free movement in the joint. This surface can wear out for a number of reasons, often the definite cause is not known.

When the articular cartilage wears out, the bone ends rub on one another and cause pain. There are numerous conditions that can cause arthritis and often the exact cause is never known. In general, but not always, it affects people as they get older.This form of arthritis is referred to as Osteoarthritis.

Other causes include

• Childhood disorders e.g., dislocated hip, Perthe’s disease, slipped epiphysis etc.
• Growth abnormalities of the hip (such as a shallow socket) may lead to premature arthritis
• Trauma (fracture)
• Increased stress e.g., overuse, overweight, etc.
• Avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply)
• Infection
• Connective tissue disorders
• Inactive lifestyle e.g., obesity, as additional weight puts extra force on your joints which can lead to arthritis over a period of time
• Inflammation e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis

In an Arthritic Hip

• The cartilage lining is thinner than normal or completely absent. The degree of cartilage damage and inflammation varies with the type and stage of arthritis
• The capsule of the arthritic hip is swollen
• The joint space is narrowed and irregular in outline; this can be seen in an X-ray image
• Bone spurs or excessive bone can also build up around the edges of the joint
• The combinations of these factors make the arthritic hip stiff and limit activities due to pain or fatigue

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made on history, physical examination & X-rays. There is no blood test to diagnose Osteoarthritis (wear & tear arthritis).

Indications & Advantages

Resurfacing procedures may be indicated in the young patient (Less than 55 years) who has osteoarthritis and wishes to maintain an active lifestyle. It is a more conservative and less traumatic alternative to Total Hip Replacement (THR).

Advantages

The main advantage is that it is bone sparing in that it does not violate the femoral canal. This allows a Total Hip Replacement to be performed at a later date, if required, with little difficulty.

• Higher activity levels allowed
• Quicker recovery in hospital (2 to 5 days)
• Reduced bone damage and Osteolysis (erosion of bone) over time
• Reduced complications, especially reduced dislocation rate and reduced leg discrepancy