What is the hip joint capsule?

The capsule is the strong but loose fibrous part of the hip joint that permits the hip joint to have a large range of movements and supports the weight of the body, arms and head. The capsule is attached proximally to the entire periphery of the acetabulum beyond the acetabular labrum. The capsule covers the femoral head and neck like a sleeve and attaches to the base of neck.

What is the Neck Capsule Preservation (NCP) approach in hip resurfacing?

Developed by Dr. Vijay C. Bose at the Asian Regional Centre for Hip Resurfacing (ARCH), Apollo Hospitals , India, the Neck Capsule Preservation approach in Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery is increasingly being adopted by surgeons throughout the world.

The NCP approach in hip joint resurfacing is a different way to incise the capsule in order to gain access to the hip joint such that the vascularity of the critical regions of the femoral head and neck is preserved.

In the NCP approach, the capsule is cut along the femoral head without disturbing the capsule long the femoral neck therby preserving the neck capsule. Such an incision helps preserve the blood vessels along the femoral neck so the blood supply to the femoral head is not affected. At the end of the surgery, the incision along the capsule is sewn in order to prevent dislocation. The NCP approach is thought to help the resurfaced hip joint to last longer.

In the traditional methods of hip resurfacing or total hip replacement , the capsule is detached from the femoral neck and flipped back. This affects the blood supply during the surgery. It is usually preserved and repaired in order to avoid dislocation.

Suggested reading

•  Hip resurfacing for the younger active patient

•  Medical tourism for Birmingham hip resurfacing using the NCP approach

•  Dr. Vijay Bose's profile

•  Apollo Hospitals, India

•  What is the cost of a BHR surgery?

•  FAQs on revision hip surgery

•  Revision hip resurfacing