Doctors often advise patients to put off hip replacement as long as possible, for it is difficult to extract and replace a worn-out or defective hip device. An alternative to total hip replacement, hip resurfacing, offers a more favorable outcome especially to younger patients. Hip resurfacing is an alternate procedure which places a cobalt-chrome metal cap over the femoral head and a metal cup on the acetabulum. Device manufacturers have developed and released hip resurfacing devices, like that of total hip replacement. DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing system was introduced to the market 2003 by DePuy Orthopedics, but because patients have been complaining of various DePuy hip recall symptoms, the company had to make a voluntary recall.
Hip resurfacing is commonly done on younger patients suffering from severe hip arthritis. Patients below 60 years old are advised to have hip resurfacing in place for total hip replacement because they might need several revision surgeries. Hip resurfacing is believed to preserve more bone and prevent possible complications associated with revision hip replacement surgery.
Hip resurfacing gives more advantages as compared to the standard hip replacement. In hip resurfacing, the normal bone is preserved. The whole ball and socket joint is not removed, instead, a metal cap is placed around where the cartilage has worn off. If hip revision surgery is needed, the surgeon can work with ease since there is enough bone parts left to work on. In addition, there are lesser chances of hip dislocation because the femoral head size is large and very similar to the original one. It is also possible to prevent leg length discrepancies and toe-in, toe-out faults that may happen with THR, because in hip resurfacing, the entire femoral neck remains in place.
Patient’s anatomy and his doctor determine if he is fitted to have hip resurfacing. The procedure is not recommended for patients who have problems in the bone around the hip joint. These include patients who have noninflammatory degenerative joint disease, osteoporosis, or cysts within the bone. The procedure is also not recommended for morbidly obese patients because the rate of developing postoperative complications is high.
According to some experts, roughly 10-15% of patients who are to have a hip replacement may find hip resurfacing a good alternative. Although the procedure presents lesser complications than THR, it is best to submit yourself to a health care provider for a thorough assessment. The hip device to be used should also be considered for you to avoid complications brought about by the device, like the DePuy hip recall.
