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Hip Resurfacing surgery is approximately 2 hours of set up and operating time. There is approximately 1 hour in the recovery room after surgery. Hip resurfacing surgery requires the removal of the diseased bone only.

• Being a relative new procedure, there is long term use data available. Hip Resurfacing surgery requires a well trained orthopaedic surgery.
• Materials and surgical techniques are improving rapidly because of the efforts of orthopaedic surgeons working with engineers and other scientists.

There are risks with any surgical procedure. Hip Resurfacing Surgery being a relative new procedure, there is long term use data available. Hip Resurfacing surgery requires a well trained orthopaedic surgery.The person considering Hip Resurfacing surgery should tell the orthopaedic surgeon about any additional medical conditions that might complicate the surgery. The patient’s regular doctor should be told of the proposed surgery. Before the operation, the patient should discuss with the anesthetists the type of anaesthetic and possible risks involved.

• With the development of Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery, many advantages exist for hip resurfacing surgery compared to the traditional full hip replacement.
  • Smaller Device: Birmingham device is chrome cobalt, metal combination. It is smaller than a traditional total hip device. With a smaller device the recovery is quicker.
  • Reduction in the Bone removed: Birmingham hip resurfacing literally means retreading the bone with a metal prosthesis. Therefore, there is a significant decrease in the amount of bone removed. Only a very small amount of bone needs to be removed. The femur (thigh) bone does not need to be damaged.
  • Decrease in Complication Rates: Birmingham hip surgery greatly reduces the disruption of the joint, therefore providing a shorter recovery period and a decrease in some complications. There is a dramatic reduction of dislocation rates and a reduction to the problem of lengthening or shortening of the leg.
  • Shorter Recovery Time: Most Birmingham hip patients are walking 4 hours after surgery. Total time spent in hospital is approximately 2 days. Within 2 weeks, most patients are back driving, resuming most of their normal activities. Birmingham hip resurfacing dramatically improves quality of life. For total hip replacement most people remain in hospital for 5-6 days and remain off driving for 6 weeks.
  • More stable hip: Because hip replacements use a smaller ball (to allow thicker plastic for longer wear) the range of movement is less and the dislocation rate greater (up to 1 in a 25) than a BHR. The hip resurfacing has a dislocation rate of less than 1 in 500 because the ball is not removed and remains the same size as the patient’s original hip. The range of movement is greater. Because the hip is more stable and feels more normal, the recovery is quicker and the function generally better.
  • Ease of Revision: Because hip resurfacing does not damage the thigh bone, when they fail they can be more easily converted to a total hip replacement. This is important in young patients who wear out total hip replacements, because it saves this procedure as a later option when they are older.

The recovery period following Hip Resurfacing surgery will vary depending on the patient. In general, the orthopaedic surgeon will encourage the patient to use the new joint soon after the operation. Usually the patient will be standing and beginning to walk within several days. The patient will normally use crutches or cane for a period of time. The patient will also learn to do appropriate exercises to move and strengthen the joint.

1) Preparing Your Body

• Increase your upper body strength to enable you to use mostly your arms after surgery.
• Lose weight reducing the weight strain on your new hip.
• Stop taking any anti-inflammatory medications or aspirins at least 10 days prior to surgery.
• Stop smoking as early as you can before Birmingham Hip Resurfacing surgery.

2) Preparing Your Home

• Rent or purchase special equipment to make your home life comfortable when you return from your surgery: some long-handled devices to avoid bending more than 90 degrees, elevated toilet seat, good chair cushions, and a shower chair.

3) Preparing to Travel

• It is generally safe to travel within a week of your surgery. Discuss this with your doctors. Take advantage of the wheelchair services offered at the airports.

A standard hip replacement has approximately 90-95% chance to be still satisfactory and functional at 10 years. The exception is the group of young patients, perhaps between 40-55 y of age, who have a markedly higher failure rate. However, the effect of newer bearing surfaces of the longevity of standard total hip replacement in this group has not been established yet. Most likely, significant improvement will be obtained with these newer designs.The Birmingham hip replacement may have a very low failure rate at 8 years, approximately 1%. More recent data suggests that a slightly higher early failure rate may be present. It is thought that once the first 1-2 years have passed the risk of failure becomes very low.
Based on this, most Birmingham hip replacements are expected to last for a long time, 20 or 30 years would not be unreasonable to assume. However, only time will tell.

Birmingham replacement in this age group is thought to have a lower failure rate than more conventional stemmed prostheses. Patients have been reported to resume running. I do not recommend this. If this is realistic for you (i.e. no other major health or joint issues), you have to accept a gradual return to this high level of activity, to strengthen the femoral neck bone. Furthermore, intense running may still lead to early or earlier failure. It will almost certainly increase the rate of metal ion generation, which may have implications for your general health. This concern has not been substantiated as of to date.

While there is usually a number of people waiting for this procedure some scheduling flexibility is possible based on need and availability. Additionally, as outlined in my practice philosophy, expedited consultation and private surgery can be arranged (ideally allowing treatment within several months instead of several years). Send us your query to get definitive information.