Hip Resurfacing at Angeles Health International

Hip resurfacing has come into practice as an alternative to total hip replacement in the past decade or so, though the first device approved for use with this surgery in the U.S. was only certified by the FDA in 2006. Well over 100,000 hip resurfacings have been performed world-wide to date.

Common to both procedures is placement of a prosthetic hip joint into the pelvis, but unlike with hip replacement, in which the femoral ball is amputated and replaced with a (usually) metal prosthetic, in hip resurfacing, the femur is left intact and is instead capped with a cylindrical metal surface. Resurfacing eliminates the problem of loosening of the prosthetic femur shaft and it preserves bone stock in the event revision surgery (replacement of the prosthetic hip joint) becomes necessary.

The larger-diameter ball-and-socket resulting from hip resurfacing also mimics the natural hip joint structure more closely than with hip replacement surgery. This reduces the risk of dislocation and improves post-operative range of motion. Ten-year studies done in England report success equal to or greater than with total hip replacement in age-matched patients, but it may be too soon to conclude that hip resurfacing is more advisable as a general matter.

Hip resurfacing is technically more difficult than hip replacement and generally requires a larger incision than what is used for a conventional hip replacement surgery. Complications of hip resurfacing -- even controlling for factors such as age, sex and activity levels -- also carry more risk than does hip replacement.

Hip resurfacing is not recommended for people who have:

• Osteoporosis
• Impaired kidney function
• Known metal hypersensitivities
• Diabetes
• Large areas of dead bone (avascular necrosis)

Any patient considering hip surgery should be aware of the many options available in the U.S. and abroad. Different approaches to technique are used by different orthopedic surgeons and options to consider include everything from materials used in the design of prosthetic devices to the choice of surgical strategy for gaining access to the hip.

At Hospital Angeles Tijuana, patients have ample opportunity to meet with the surgical team prior to surgery, to understand every aspect of the procedure they choose to undertake. And our post-operative care is second-to-none. Dr. Garin stresses that "we always keep in touch with patients by phone or email - it is important to make sure that they are recovering well, with minimum pain, and gaining the mobility and flexibility they have not had for so long."