Hip Resurfacing

Hip resurfacing is a good alternative to full total hip replacement in younger patients with arthritis.  The procedure has been undertaken for over ten years and results are now showing that hip resurfacings can last just as long as replacements, and provide rather better function.  The operation removes less bone and, if and when it does wear out, changing the resurfacing to a replacement is generally easy.

Hip Resurfacing

What happens in surgery?

Hip resurfacing involves making an incision along the outside of the upper thigh.  This is usually about 15-20 cms long and whilst the incision is not in a particularly discreet area, the scar left by the procedure usually heals very well.

Once the incision has been made the surface of the diseased femoral head and the lining of the cup into which it fits are removed and replaced. The new joint surfaces are made of highly polished metal alloy and wear very slowly. The operation usually takes around 90 minutes to complete.

After a Hip Resurfacing

When you wake up in recovery you will be lying on your back. Often the anaesthetist will have put local anaesthetic around the large nerves in your thigh, so your leg may feel numb and a little weak. This will wear off after about 4 hours.

You will have some pain but this is often much less than you might expect, and the pain of the arthritis should have gone completely.

On the day after the operation you will have an x-ray to check the new hip is well positioned, and the physiotherapists will start you off on some bed exercises. If you are making good progress you may well be asked to try standing up with assistance from the physio. Over the next few days you will do progressively more, steadily improving your movement and walking so that you should be able to move confidently with crutches, including ascending and descending stairs, by day 4 or 5.

Post-op physiotherapy will be arranged and can be done either at the hospital or at a local physiotherapy practice. This will continue for a few weeks and during this time you will see a constant improvement in your mobility as you gain strength and confidence. After a minimum of 4-6 weeks you may reduce down to one crutch while you are at home but we would advise you stick to two when you are out of the house.

You should regain almost full and pain free movement of the hip within 6-9 months of surgery.

Lifespan of a hip resurfacing

It is important to understand that the hip resurfacing is artificial and will eventually wear out or loosen in the bone. You should try to live as normal a life as possible, and may return to sports including running activities if you wish.

Results from the biggest series of hip resurfacings in the UK have found that many patients from the group have returned to vigorous activity such as squash, ballet dancing and football without seeming to harm the hip.

Clare Park Hospital | Crondall Lane | Crondall | Farnham | Surrey | GU10 5XX

© Joint Reaction 2008