Factors Patients Should Consider

In an article featured in The Wall Street Journal, Anne Tergesen discusses the pros and cons of hip resurfacing versus total hip replacements.

As stated by Tergesen, hip resurfacing has become an increasingly popular alternative to total hip replacement surgery, especially for younger more active individuals. However, the procedure’s popularity is slowly decreasing as potential problems and challenges begin to surface and new technologies are created.

A misconception among many is that hip resurfacing is less invasive than a total hip replacement.  This is not true.  During hip resurfacing a surgeon replaces the socket and preserves part of the patient’s femoral ball and neck (the part just below the ball), smoothing away the problem areas before placing a cap on the bone.  Typically this procedure can take longer to complete than replacing the hip joint and requires larger incisions. It also requires the surgeon to cut into more muscle and other tissues. The other potential drawback to hip resurfacing is that the neck that was preserved can break (or fracture).  This would require an emergent conversion to a traditional total hip replacement.  This is quite rare, but it is a complication specific to hip resurfacing.

For some patients hip resurfacing is an ideal course of treatment.  A younger more active individual may wear out a hip replacement and be required to undergo a second surgery later on in life.  Hip resurfacing also leaves an orthopedic surgeon with more bone to work with if a second procedure is needed down the road.

In the end, a patient and their doctor should always consider both these procedures on an individual basis.  What’s right for one patient may not be right for another.  That said, I have found the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) system to be very successful for many of my patients.   It offers the same metal on metal design as other hip resurfacing devices but has a better and longer track record than other designs.  During a face to face, thorough evaluation, an orthopedic surgeon can customize the right type of replacement for the patient.