Pain-Free Living

Hip Resurfacing

Return to main article: Recovering From Total Hip Replacement

One alternative to total hip replacement is hip resurfacing, also known as partial hip replacement. In this procedure, the surgeon does not remove the head of the thighbone, also known as the “ball” of the hip. Instead, he reshapes the surface of the ball and covers it with a metal cap. The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone from the hip socket and replaces it with another metal prosthesis.

Traditionally, people considered good candidates for hip resurfacing have included those with severe osteoarthritis who are younger than 60 and have strong, healthy bone. The procedure is not suitable for people who have osteoporosis or are otherwise at risk for fracture of the part of the thighbone just below the ball. The rationale for choosing hip resurfacing over a total replacement is that it can extend the life of the ball for several years, postponing a total hip replacement. Replacement hips don’t last indefinitely, and younger, more active people are likely to wear out a first hip implant and need a second. (Studies have shown some implants to last for more than 20 years, but how long an implant lasts in an individual depends on many factors, including the person’s weight, activities, and other medical conditions.) A second total hip replacement, called revision surgery, is complex and less likely to be successful than an initial total hip replacement. Because hip resurfacing preserves much of the thighbone, it doesn’t get in the way of a successful total hip replacement later, if it’s needed.

Disadvantages of hip resurfacing include that it is a more complex surgery that requires a larger incision than total hip replacement. It also has a slightly higher risk of complications.

A large study released in 2012 found that hip resurfacing had a higher rate of failure than total hip replacement. Failure rates for women were so high that the study authors recommended women no longer undergo hip resurfacing. The study did find, however, that the procedure’s success rate increased with the size of a person’s thighbone head, and that hip resurfacing performed on men with particularly large thighbone heads had a success rate comparable to that of hip replacements.

Recovery time for hip resurfacing is typically shorter than for total hip replacement. After surgery, most people go home after one to four days in the hospital, and they may need a walker, cane, or crutches for a few weeks. Full recovery typically takes between six weeks and three months.

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