Hip Resurfacing

About Hip Resurfacing

Are You a Candidate?

Risks of Hip Resurfacing

Surgical Expertise

Your Questions

The first part of this decision is based on your level of pain and how badly your hip is affecting your quality of life.  Next is the decision between a total hip replacement and a hip resurfacing.  Generally, if you are young and active, you are at an increased risk for failure of a total hip replacement.  In this group of patients, a hip resurfacing may be advantageous because bone is preserved with this surgery which allows future reconstructive options if the device fails.  Simply put, a resurfacing is more easily revised than a total hip.  Lastly, a review of your x-rays by your surgeon makes the final determination if you are a good candidate.  If you have good bone quality and no major anatomic abnormalities, you are likely a good candidate.  Like a house, the resurfacing must be built on a solid foundation.

Contraindications

Hip resurfacing may not be for everyone, including patients with:

• Poor bone quality
• Osteoporosis
• Severe, extensive osteonecrosis / avascular necrosis