Hi Rob
I just returned from 2 1/2 days with 200 hip resurfacing doctors. I sat thru tons of presentations about hip resurfacing to teach new doctors about the technique. I am not a doctor and don't even play one on TV, but I can tell you that your doctor has not passed on complete and accurate information to you.
Normally we compare a hip resurfacing to a Metal on Metal MOM THR. That is because they are the same sized femur cap and same sized acetabular cup. If you have a resurfacing and for some reason needed a revision to a THR, you would not normally have both the cup and cap removed. They would just continue to use the acetabular cup that was originally placed and then use the same sized cap for the femur except it will have a long stem.
They are one in the same except for the way the cap is placed on the femur bone. With a resurfacing, the bone is conserved and only shaped to accept the femur cap. You can go to Dr. Gross and receive an uncemented femur cap if you choose to go cementless. All of the acetabular cups are normally uncemented unless they need to use a special displasia cup which has screws.
So the doctor is misleading you to tell you that they remove more bone for a resurfacing than a MOM THR. I have a number of articles here by experienced hip resurfacing surgeons who also do THRs that explains this misconception.
http://www.surfacehippy.info/faqacetabularboneloss.phpAlso if your doctor is telling you that there is more history for MOM THRs than resurfacing in the current generation of hip devices - he is incorrect since the MOMs are the same age as resurfacings in their current form. So that is not a correct statement. There is a great deal of history for the old fashioned small ball plastic/metal THRs - but you are not dealing with statistics for the current models of MOM THRs.
The reason resurfacings and MOM THRs work so well is because they are matched to be the same size as the ball of your femur. That is why both have little dislocation because they more match the size of your natural body. A resurfacing is considered better by many surgeons because the loading is more like your natural hip. That can be debated - but technically, as an engineer, it makes sense to me as you watch how they design the angles and placement of the hip devices.
The ROM of a resurfacing is as good if not better than a THR. That is because it more closely matches the design of your actual hip. THere are no restrictions with a resurfacing either. The doctors are very careful in planing the placement of the resurfacing device and take in consideration what activities and sports you do.
A surgeon that does not perform hip resurfacing will often not give you good information about hip resurfacing. On the other hand, a surgeon that does both will give you good information about both resurfacing and THRs. Many doctors still believe resurfacing is hem-resurfacing. Many doctors simply are not talented enough to learn to perform the difficult resurfacing surgery. Many doctors don't take time to learn about resurfacings.
I sat with a number of surgeons that do not and don't plan to learn resurfacing, yet attending the conference to learn so they can give their patients reliable information. These doctors are to be applauded for their efforts to keep up to date and educate their patients with current information.
I would suggest that you get an appointment with an expereinced hip resurfracing surgeon and ask them the questions you stated. They will give you accurate and truthful answers. They will also not suggest a resurfacing if they feel a THR is a better option for you.
http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.phpI would also suggest you join some of our upcoming chats where you can talk with some of the very experienced surgeons. I am setting up video chats with several of the worlds best. Will place ads shortly.
Please try to do some more studying and get some more input from an experienced resurfacing surgeon before you make up your mind. Once you have good information, then go with you own gut feeling as to what is best. Obviously you are not yet convienced a THR is the best solution yet or you would not be posting here.
Many of us on this board have traveled long distances to get our resurfacings because either surgeons in the US would not do us or we could not afford surgery in the US. I knew that I would not probably get any US doctor to do me since I was a 61 year old female. Yet overseas, doctors often do older people.
Good Luck and stay in touch.
Pat