Hip Resurfacing vs Hip Replacement

How is Hip resurfacing Surgery more beneficial to Total Hip Replacement?

Hip resurfacing is better than THR (total hip replacement) because generally after THR, one cannot sit on the floor, squat, or lead a very active, hectic life or play sport. THR can also dislocate. Hip Resurfacings hardly ever dislocate and activity levels are excellent after resurfacing. It should last even longer than THR and with a far far better lifestyle than THR. If Resurfacing fails at any stage, THR can be easily done.

Is Hip resurfacing Surgery only for young patients?

Not really, it can be done in elderly patients as well with good outcomes, provided they still have good bone density. This can be advised by our specialist doctors after reviewing your X-Rays. Please get X-Rays of your affected hip done - AP and Lateral views and send upload it in your account at Healthbase's My MedReports page (after login).

How would I determine if I am a candidate for this procedure without traveling abroad?

Once our specialist doctor looks at your Hip X rays and medical reports, it can be made clear if you are an appropriate candidate for resurfacing surgery. If possible please get the x ray by email from your radiology Lab or photographed at photo lab and upload it in your account at Healthbase's My MedReports page (after login). If you need help in digitizing or scanning of your medical reports, please contact Healthbase customer support.

Information about Hip resurfacing versus hip replacement procedure

Hip resurfacing or surface replacement arthroplasty is a bone-conserving alternative to conventional total hip replacement (THR). Unlike THR, hip resurfacing does not involve the removal of the femoral head and neck; hence the head, neck and femur bone is preserved in an effort to facilitate future surgery to enable the patient to take advantage of newer technology or treatments in the future. The current generation of hip resurfacing devices utilizes a metal-metal bearing. Metal-metal bearings have demonstrated a much higher level of wear resistance as well as reduced bone loss and inflammatory tissue reaction about the hip joint as compared to metal-polyethylene bearings. Hip resurfacing is anatomically and biomechanically more similar to the natural hip joint resulting in increased stability, flexibility and range of motion. Further, the dislocation risk is virtually eliminated. Higher activity levels are typically achieved with less risk. These benefits are realized because the head diameter that results from resurfacing is very similar to the patient's normal head diameter and these larger head sizes are typically much larger than the femoral balls utilized in conventional THR. This surgery is less invasive and rehabilitation after the operation is quicker. Patients are encouraged to be active after surgery as this improves the bone stock. Birmingham Hip Resurfacing technology, is a much advanced technical procedure than conventional total hip replacement. As a novel procedure, it demands an experienced surgeon who can thoroughly understand the responsibility of performing hip Arthroplasty on young active patients.

To keep pace with this changing and demanding scenario, we have a highly experienced Opthopaedic Surgeon - Dr. Kaushal C Malhan, in our clinical team. He brings with him tremendous orthopaedic training from the U.K. Dr. Malhan is responsible for establishing a regional Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Center at Wockhardt Bone & Joint Hospital in Mumbai, one of its kind in India. Patients from India and even from neighboring countries can benefit from the remarkable rewards of this procedure. Register to get FREE quote. Registration at Healthbase is simple, easy and free.

Conventional total hip replacements usually consist of a stemmed femoral component that is fixed into the femoral canal using cement articulating with a polyethylene cup cemented into the pelvis. There are several conventional total hip replacement systems that have been proven to work well in elderly inactive patients. In Hip replacement surgery thigh bone is generally removed which leads to the loss of large quantity of normal bone. All these reduce the bone stock and make any future revision procedures difficult. They work less well in the younger patients with poorer survival. They do not allow full unrestricted activity and can dislocate.

BHR is more advanced then the conventional hip replacement surgery. It has changed the lives of many young arthritics worldwide. For some of the hip joint problems/diseases like Avascular Necrosis, Hip Dysplasia with Secondary Arthritis, Old Perthes Diseases, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Young Age Osteoarthritis - BHR is proving as an effective solution.

Unlike Traditional hip replacement surgery the amount of bone removed is much smaller. During the surgery the joint is removed and resurfaced with a round femoral cup and metal acetabular socket. There is no risk of limb length changes at operation. Rehabilitation is much faster. The joint is then lubricated by the hip's natural fluid. In BHR, preservation of bone stock at the time of operation and less stress shielding makes it easy to revise the surgery, if needed. This procedure helps in sacrificing only the diseased bone and acetabular socket preserves normal bone.

The advantages of BHR over the conventional hip replacement surgery

• Removes only unhealthy bone and replaces it with a metal on metal articulation.
• It preserves the normal bone of the hip
• patients can squat, sit cross-legged without the risk of dislocation
• Everlasting
• based on 35-year history in Birmingham of metal on metal implants.
• Excellent restoration of full function.
• Femoral head remains viable after BHR surgery.
• It does not sacrifice normal bone during primary surgery.
• Activity restriction not required after surgery, as there is hardly any risk of dislocation.
• Patient can indulge in full sporting activities without risk of dislocation.
• Patients have gone back to sports like competitive Judo and Squash after surgery.
• Overall 99% success rate
• ideal option for the younger or more active patient.
• No dislocation in more than 2000 BHR procedures done in Birmingham.
• Many adolescent patients have had the procedure with excellent results.
• Procedure can be done soon after skeletal maturity.