By  Dr. Rubinstein
2860 N. Broadway  Suite 202
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-327-8300

Cysts are very common in arthritic hips and can usually be
seen on x-rays. Most of the time they are not a problem with
resurfacing because they are small and in the part of the bone removed in
milling the femoral head for a resurf. Most larger ones can be filled
with a cement of bone chips and still do a good resurf. The only cysts
that are problematic are those that erode the superior femoral neck
weakening the bone at a critical place. This can lead to fracture
with a resurf and that is an indication for a THR instead. They can
usually be seen on a pre op x-ray so I can tell the patient that a resurf
may not be possible and a decision can be made at surgery. In the one
case I was surprised on the cyst was under a large osteophyte and was
obscured on the x-ray. The patient got a big head metal-metal THR and
is doing fine.