Why is Hip Resurfacing better then a Total
Hip Replacement?

Dr. De Smet

“Theoretic advantages are less bone destruction,
less bone resection, normal femoral loading, avoidance of stress
shielding, maximum proprioceptive
feedback, and restoration of normal anatomy. In addition,
reduced risk of dislocation, less leg inequality problems, and
easier revision should convince
surgeons to favor metal-on-metal resurfacing.”

Mr. McMinn

“A resurfacing is suitable for the treatment
of a hip with severe arthritis when the femoral head bone
quality is good. It is used more often in young and active
patients than older and less active patients because
conventional replacements do not last long in young and active
patients. Further, a younger patient is more likely to need a
revision of an artificial hip at some stage later in life, and
it is easier to successfully revise a BHR.

The fundamental difference between a BHR and
a conventional total hip replacement (THR) is in the femoral
(thigh) side. A THR has a long stem inserted into the canal in
the thigh bone. Hence the natural femoral head and part of the
neck are removed and weight is transmitted through the stem
directly into the upper third of the thigh bone. In a
resurfacing, the aim is to preserve most of the femoral head and
neck. The resurfacing femoral component therefore has a thin (3
to 4 mm) hollow ball surface that directly transmits weight to
the femoral head bone underneath it and a very small stem that
is not designed to transmit weight. The socket component can be
similar in both the THR and a BHR.”

Dr. Balasubramanian

Dr. Bose

Dr. Bernabe

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing is the answer
to younger patients with severe hip pain due to arthritis. These
patients are too young for a total hip replacement because of
the severe limitations after the surgery.

Unlike traditional hip replacement surgery, resurfacing does not
remove as much of your leg bone. Instead, the process simply
machines away the rough damaged surface of the hip joint bones
and replaces them with more durable high carbide cobalt chrome.

For younger patients concerned with the potential of multiple
revision surgeries over their lifetimes, saving natural bone is
especially important. But hip bone conservation is good for
older patients as well if their bones are strong enough to
accept the implant.

The BIRMINGHAM HIP RESURFACING System has been shown to actually
enhance bone strength around your hip. (Kishida, Sugano 2004
JBJS) The more you walk on your resurfaced hip, the stronger it
gets.

The BHR is not “experimental surgery”. Although its use in the
US has been
approved by the FDA only last year, there have been over 60,000
BHR hips
implanted worldwide since 1996. At 10 years follow up, 98% of
implants
have survived. A 1,626-hip study found that 99.5% of patients
responded they were “Pleased” or “Extremely pleased” with the
results of their Birmingham Hip Resurfacing surgery.