When's a good time to have Hip Resurfacing?

[Lopsided]

If you are considering hip resurfacing it is important to realise that this procedure is similar to a total hip joint replacement and at some stage the hip resurfacing will fail and you will need to be converted to a total hip joint replacement.

I hope not!

Many resurfacings will fail and need to be converted, but the idea is it could last for life. If you get a good device, and it is well placed, supposedly it could last for life. I would confront the surgeon with this, why does he assume that it will fail? What aspect of the resurfacing will fail?

There are no guarantees in life, and especially with hip surgery. But you should aim for the best.

[hernanu]

That is great news Simon! 

My attitude towards revisions is that if it does happen, then so be it, and I will have it done whenever it's needed. In the meanwhile, I am enjoying life free of pain. I write this from a vacation in southern Maine with my two daughters. I've walked everywhere using sandals, went swimming with ease, and overall enjoyed my first truly pain free vacation in eight years. Other people with health issues never get back to normal like this, or even have the luxury of going back to high intensity pursuits, so I feel very lucky, no matter how long it lasts.

You can also check out the post from a hippy who just celebrated his 20th anniversary with no issues and whose hip is perfectly sound. Good luck!

[Anniee]

Simon,

Get it done while you still can!  I know there is a chance that you will need a revision sometime in the future, but that risk is there with a THR as well.  Before I had my resurfacing, I discussed the risks with my surgeon (Dr. Gross), as well as the risks associated with THR.  If I remember correctly, he told me the revision risk is about the same for both operations, and revising a THR is much more invasive than revising a resurfacing.  They have to break your femur to get that large THR prong out of your femur before they can put another THR device in.  This sounds much worse to me than a revision of resurfacing, where all they have to do is basically perform a THR without, hopefully, the socket part.

Best of luck to you! 

[Kiwi]

Appreciate all your responses & I'm taking it all on board. I'm going to try and get it done this year - aiming for early November due to holiday to Aus & Rugby world cup I'm attending - not playing  :).

Lopsided - I'll definitely ask Dr Blackley the very valid questions you've raised (thanks). I have also printed all the questions listed on 'surfacehippy' website and the responses from him are expected this week.

I plan to send my X-rays & the questions to another two surgeons to ensure I have an experienced surgeon. Ideally I want to find out (for sure) who the most experienced surgeon is in New Zealand? Can anyone help with that or should I post a new question?