How is total hip resurfacing surgery different from replacement?

Total hip resurfacing surgery could be the answer to severe pain, swelling and stiffness in hip joint. The procedure involves trimming and capping of the femoral head that is the head of the thighbone with a smooth metal covering.

To understand the difference between hip replacement and hip resurfacing in detail, you need to understanding the anatomy of a hip joint.

The hip joint is made up of the head of the thighbone called femoral head and a round socket of the hip joint. The femoral head moves smoothly in the socket that is lined with cartilage that helps in smooth movement of the joint.

The traditional total hip replacement involves replacing the femoral head and the damaged socket with artificial components made of metal, plastic or ceramic. But in resurfacing, the femoral head is cleaned of the damaged portion and only the cartilage within the socket is removed. A metal shell is placed in the socket to allow free movement of the joint.

Advantages of resurfacing surgery

1. Easier to revise

Whether it is hip replacement or resurfacing, use of metal parts is necessary and these parts are also prone to wear and tear in the long run requiring patients of hip surgeries to go for revision surgeries. Since resurfacing removes only limited parts of femoral head and the cartilage, it is easier to revise. But the same can’t be said about total replacement the removes and replaces the entire joint with metal parts.

2. Little risk of hip dislocation

Resurfacing can save you from hip dislocation as the size of ball is larger than the ball used in replacement. But the size of ball is only one of the many factors that determine placement of the hip joint.

3. Close to natural

The walking pattern after hip resurfacing is found to be closer to natural in comparison to that of hip replacement. But the difference is quite subtle hence difficult to be noticed with naked eyes.

Should I go for hip resurfacing treatment?

Let an experienced surgeon examine the condition of your joint before suggesting an option. But as an individual, you can ask him to do resurfacing. Also, you can ask questions about total hip resurfacing surgery so that you can make up your mind for the treatment.The biggest advantage of resurfacing is that it allows easy revision. Whenever you need a revision surgery, you can go for it post resurfacing surgery.