Because removing and replacing a worn-out or faulty hip device is difficult, doctors often advise patients to do away with hip replacement as much as possible. An alternative to total hip replacement, hip resurfacing offers a more favorable outcome, especially to younger patients. It is an alternate procedure which places a cobalt-and-chrome metal cap over the femoral head and a metal cup on the acetabulum. Similar to total hip replacement, hip resurfacing devices are developed and marketed by various implant makers.
Hip resurfacing is mostly recommended for younger patients who have severe hip arthritis, medical experts say. Because young patients may need to undergo several revision surgeries, they are advised to undergo for this kind if treatment rather than total hip replacement. Possible complications associated with hip revision surgery may be prevented with hip resurfacing and the procedure is thought to preserve more bone.
Comparing total hip replacement and hip resurfacing, the latter have more positive effects according to clinical studies. The process of resurfacing the hips involves less bone removal. Instead of removing the entire ball and socket joint, a metal cap is placed around where the cartilage has worn off. By the time patient necessitates a hip revision surgery, it will be easier to manipulate and correct the affected area because there are enough bones left. Furthermore, the femoral head size is large and close to the size of the anatomical head preventing instances of dislocation. It is also possible to prevent leg length discrepancies and toe-in, toe-out faults that may happen with total hip replacement, because in hip resurfacing, the entire femoral neck remains in place.
The patient's anatomy and his doctor determine if he is qualified for this kind of hip surgery. The procedure is not recommended for patients who have problems in the bone around the hip joint. These problems include osteoporosis, cysts within the bone and non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease. Patients who are obese are also not advised to undergo the procedure because they have higher rate of developing postoperative complications.
According to some experts, roughly 10 to 15 percent of patients who are to have a hip replacement may find hip resurfacing a good alternative. Although the procedure presents lesser complications compared to total hip replacements, it is best for a patient to consult a health care provider for a thorough assessment and medication. It is also important to consider what hip device to use because there are implants that may also cause complications.
Hip resurfacing is mostly recommended for younger patients who have severe hip arthritis, medical experts say. Because young patients may need to undergo several revision surgeries, they are advised to undergo for this kind if treatment rather than total hip replacement. Possible complications associated with hip revision surgery may be prevented with hip resurfacing and the procedure is thought to preserve more bone.
Comparing total hip replacement and hip resurfacing, the latter have more positive effects according to clinical studies. The process of resurfacing the hips involves less bone removal. Instead of removing the entire ball and socket joint, a metal cap is placed around where the cartilage has worn off. By the time patient necessitates a hip revision surgery, it will be easier to manipulate and correct the affected area because there are enough bones left. Furthermore, the femoral head size is large and close to the size of the anatomical head preventing instances of dislocation. It is also possible to prevent leg length discrepancies and toe-in, toe-out faults that may happen with total hip replacement, because in hip resurfacing, the entire femoral neck remains in place.
The patient's anatomy and his doctor determine if he is qualified for this kind of hip surgery. The procedure is not recommended for patients who have problems in the bone around the hip joint. These problems include osteoporosis, cysts within the bone and non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease. Patients who are obese are also not advised to undergo the procedure because they have higher rate of developing postoperative complications.
According to some experts, roughly 10 to 15 percent of patients who are to have a hip replacement may find hip resurfacing a good alternative. Although the procedure presents lesser complications compared to total hip replacements, it is best for a patient to consult a health care provider for a thorough assessment and medication. It is also important to consider what hip device to use because there are implants that may also cause complications.
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