Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System vs. Traditional Total Hip Replacement Surgery

A standard hip replacement 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.

Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty is indicated in the physiologic younger patient 30-60 years old who has osteoarthritis and wishes to maintain an active lifestyle. It is a more bone conservative surgery and maintains an anatomic feeling hip compared to a standard Total Hip Replacement.

Indications

Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty can be performed in males with adequate bone size from age ~30-60 years old. The procedure will not be performed on any females due to the possibility of metal ions release during child bearing ages as well as the increased revision risk in females due to smaller bone size.

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
• Less post-operative restrictions
• Quicker recovery in hospital 1-2 days
• Reduced bone damage and Osteolysis (erosion of bone) over time
• Reduced complications, especially reduced dislocation rate and reduced leg discrepancy