Studies Show Outcomes of Hip Resurfacing Similar to Hip Replacement

The studies from various institutions show that hip resurfacing yielded similar results to the newest types of total hip replacements in helping patients resume their active lifestyles. Studies published in 2008 that showed better outcomes for hip resurfacing now note that patients who had hip resurfacing were more active prior to surgery and were predisposed to a more active lifestyle after surgery, according to the report.

Hip replacement requires a surgeon to cut away the top two inches of the femur and replace the socket and ball of the hip with prostheses. The artificial ball is secured by a rod inserted into the femur. In hip resurfacing, on the other hand, the surgeon replaces the socket but preserves the patient’s femoral ball and smoothes away the arthritic damage before capping the bone.

Women who have undergone hip resurfacing have a higher incidence of returning for a second surgery, according to a study from the Australian Orthopaedic Association, and this could be attributed to the smaller frames and lower bone density of women compared to men, according to the report.

According to the report, hip surgery of any kind is difficult for both surgeons and patients. Many surgeons still say that hip resurfacing is best in certain types of patients, such as younger patients who may wear out a hip replacement.

Read the Wall Street Journal’s report on hip resurfacing and total hip replacement.