Current generation hip resurfacing devices are made of cobalt-chrome metal. They have a thin shell, cementless acetabular component and a thin shell ‘cap’ which is fixed to the femoral head with bone cement.
The new generation of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing devices have been available for 10 years and a studies show high success rates and low rates of failure.
Patients are instructed to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, the night before surgery.
The surgery takes approximately 2 hours. During surgery, the hip joint is exposed. The damaged surface of the femoral head is reshaped, and the new femoral head ‘cap’ is placed over this prepared surface and fixed in place with bone cement. The damaged surface of the acetabulum (hip socket) is then prepared and a new, thin shell cup is inserted securely into the hip socket. The bone of the socket grows onto the surface of the new cup for fixation.
The joint is then reduced and the surgical site is closed with sutures. The skin is closed with absorbable sutures which dissolve and therefore do not need to be removed. Patients have physical therapy sessions twice daily while in the hospital, and are instructed on the use of crutches or a walker. The hospital stay is usually 2 to 3 days.
Most patients will participate in supervised physical therapy for about 4 weeks.
Assistive devices such as crutches are usually continued for a couple weeks after surgery to offload the hip while the operative site heals and while discomfort subsides.
Low impact activities such as walking, cycling, or golf are allowed as soon as the patient feels comfortable doing them. Higher impact activities such as jogging or singles tennis should be avoided for at least six months while the bone of the hip strengthens as it accommodates to the new device.