Hip Resurfacing:

This is a surgical procedure used to decrease pain in the hip without undergoing complete hip replacement surgery. Several approaches or techniques that orthopedic surgeons can use to perform this procedure.

The specific approach that is used with each patient depends on the case and conditions the patient presents, as well as the training that your specific surgeon has had. There are lateral, posterior, and anterior approaches that can be used.

Your hip joint is also known as a “ball and socket” joint, and it is the largest weight-bearing joint in your body. The acetabulum socket (hollow area) of the pelvic bone holds the ball-shaped top of the femur (thigh bone).

This joint is held together by several ligaments and muscles. Cartilage (firm, flexible tissue) lines the socket, and it can become damaged or worn away. This damage or wear and tear tends to cause different levels of pain, depending on how worn or damaged the joint is.

When the procedure begins, the orthopedic surgeon will make an incision on the front, side, or back of the hip area. The surgeon will then proceed to lace a cap over the femur.

The next step is for your surgeon to assess the acetabulum socket and decide whether it needs a protective covering.  The coverings are designed to keep both bones from rubbing against one another, and this usually eliminates the cause of the pain.

This type of surgery is generally the preferred choice when the patient has good bone structure. Therefore, a total hip replacement surgery procedure will not be required in the short term although it may be required later down the line.

The procedure generally takes two hours.

The length of the hospital stay is usually two nights.

The recovery time before you can travel is generally ten days.

How do I know whether I need hip resurfacing?

• You have osteoporosis
• You have impaired kidney function
• You have metal hypersensitivity or allergies
• You are Diabetic
• There are significant areas of dead bone in the hip joint otherwise known as avascular necrosis

Details of the Procedure:

General anesthesia or a spinal block will be administered so that the hip resurfacing procedure can begin. A liquid antiseptic is then used to prep the area, and an incision is made on the hip and thigh.

The surgeon will remove worn surfaces from the hip socket and thigh bone during the procedure. The surgeon will then cover these surfaces with metal, and the procedure will be finished by closing the wound with staples or stitches.

After the Procedure:

So that you can recover properly, a special pillow will be placed between your legs to prevent dislocation. You will also be required to wear medical compression stockings to prevent blood clots.

In order to speed up recovery, you will need to take part in physical therapy during your hospital stay and afterwards. Your physical therapy may include:

• Learning to move up and down properly while in bed
• Learning to go from a lying down position to a sitting position and vice versa
• Learning to go from standing to a seated position and vice versa

There are exercises that you will be given to help strengthen the muscles in your lower body. There are many doctors who recommend for you to continue with professional physical therapy once you are home. You may also be required to used a cane or a walker for about six weeks after your surgery.

After you have had hip resurfacing, you need to limit certain activities for the first six months, and these include:

• Heavy lifting
• Running
• Jogging
• Jumping
• No driving (for about 5 weeks)

Results:

Most patients’ range of motion is restored to nearly normal after undergoing hip resurfacing and recovery. It takes roughly six months for the bone to attach and seal to the implant, and this is the period of time recommended for recovery and therapy. Thereafter, patients usually return to normal activities, and most report little to no discomfort, making hip resurfacing a very successful procedure.

Risks and complications:

It is a well-known fact that surgical procedures carry inherent risks and complications, and the following list contains some of the most common issues with hip resurfacing:

• Infection
• Blood clot
• Pulmonary embolism
• Fracture of the femoral neck
• Device failure
• Device loosening
• Dislocation
• Reaction to Anesthesia
• Excess bone formation
• Nerve injury
• Stiffness
• Decreased mobility

Any and all concerns you may have regarding a hip resurfacing procedure should be addressed by your surgeon of choice.

• If you develop any of the following, please contact your physician or orthopedic surgeon immeadiately:
• Your incision or the area around your incision becomes red
• You develop swelling of the incision
• You develop incision tenderness
• The incision smells
• Your pain increases
• Tylenol or ibuprofen does not reduce your fever
• Pain in your calf and leg develops that is unrelated to your incision
• Tenderness or redness of your calf begins
• Your thigh, calf, ankle, or foot begin to swell
• Shortness of breath occurs
• Chest pain develops, especially with breathing