Hip resurfacing surgery

Hip resurfacing surgery is a preferred surgical option for many patients with hip joint erosion. This procedure is superior to hip replacement surgery due to the many advantages and properties that make complications and problems less. Moreover, hip resurfacing surgery can solve the problem of the joint for a longer time and give the patient the ability to return to the practice of many prohibited activities if the hip joint is completely replaced.

Hip resurfacing surgery depends on removing the external surface of the joint and replacing it with an artificial cover to avoid friction of the bone that forms the joint. This surgery is characterized by the ability of the new surface of the hip joint to simulate the natural joint. 

In addition, this type of surgery retains the bones of the joint without the removal of part of it, so the body weight remains distributed naturally on the bones of the joint, unlike the full hip replacement surgery of the joint that leads to the focusing of weight on the femur that can weaken in the long period. In addition, the possibility of changing the position of the hip joint during the hip resurfacing surgery is very small or maybe non-existent, unlike the process of replacement of the joint, which may result in a change in the location of the joint, which causes a difference in the length of the lower right side and the left, for example, may affect the patient's normal walking.

Treatment in Jordan takes approximately "4 to 7 days".

It may be advisable to perform a hip resurface surgery if there is a problem in the hip joint that it is not preferred to replace the entire joint, such as if the patient is suffering from osteoarthritis in its advanced stages, therefore, the surgical solution is considered to be exhausting, and the surgeon is obliged to resort to the hip resurfacing surgery. Each of the following conditions is the most common cause of hip problems, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Fracture or injury of the hip joint.
• Tumour in the hip joint.
• Bone necrosis.

In addition, hip resurfacing surgery is not a suitable option for all cases, as it is preferable when the bones are strong, which means that men under the age of 60 years are the best candidates.

(Will be added soon, God willing).

Hip resurfacing surgery is preferred to perform on candidates with the following criteria:

1. Patients who are younger than 60 years.
2. For patients with healthy strong bones, usually, men are considered to be better candidates than women.

A series of tests are required before the hip resurfacing, including:

• Clinical examination.
• Medical history.
• Checking the hip joint by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests.

Hip resurfacing surgery includes the following steps:

1. Anesthesia of the patient (general or regional anesthesia).
2. Making an incision in the groin area at the back from the top.
3. Remove the damaged surface of the femur head and scrape it with a special tool.
4. Placing a metal cap on the head of the femur.
5. Remove the damaged cartilage covered the acetabulum of the pelvic bone.
6. Re-position the femur head to its place.
7. Closing the incision with special stitches.

Hip resurfacing surgery has some complications, including:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Blood clots.
• Fracture of the femur neck.
• Changing the location of the hip joint.
• Problems associated with anesthesia.
• Nerves and blood vascular damage around the hip joint.
• Allergic reactions to metal parts within the joint.

(Will be added soon, God willing)

Pain may continue during the weeks following the surgery, so continuing to take pain killers medications may be the only solution to control it and feel comfortable, but it is not advised to continue using these medications for a long time (the advice taken from the surgeon).

The recovery period may require approximately 6 weeks after which the patient can return to normal activities, but the full recovery may take 12 months after the surgery.

The orthopedic surgeon often advises his/her patient to communicate with the physiotherapist to complete the treatment by teaching the patient the preferred exercises in this case; to help restore movement of the joint as much as possible and within a short period.

• Hip replacement surgery
• Knee replacement surgery
• Shoulder joint replacement

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Last updated on 23 December 2021

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4. Hip resurfacing. (2020). Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17103-hip-resurfacing
5. Foran J. (2018). Hip resurfacing, Retrieved from OrthoInfo: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/hip-resurfacing/
6. Hip resurfacing. (n.d.). Retrieved from Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hip-resurfacing