Your Guide to Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty

Hip resurfacing may be an effective alternative to hip replacement for younger active people with arthritis. It preserves more bone and might offer quicker recovery and better mobility. Still, it comes with some unique risks.

Hip arthroplasty, also called a “hip replacement,” is a procedure in which a surgeon replaces damaged tissue in your hip joint with an artificial implant. The traditional version of this surgery is called “total hip replacement,” which involves replacing the entire ball-and-socket joint of your hip.

Hip resurfacing is an alternative procedure that involves removing less tissue. During hip resurfacing, the ball of your femur is covered with a thin metal material instead of being completely removed.

Medical professionals originally developed hip resurfacing in the 1970s , but early surgeries provided poor results due to excess wear on the joint and bone loss.

Modern advances in materials and surgical techniques have made it a workable alternative to total hip replacement for young and active people. The technology is still developing, and experts expect new hip-resurfacing devices to be launched over the next decade.

In this article, we break down everything you need to know about hip resurfacing.

The per capita price of healthcare per year is higher in the United States than in any other nation in the world, according to National Public Radio (NPR). America spends nearly 2.5 times as much per person as the United Kingdom does, despite having comparable wealth and a lower life expectancy.

Language matters

You’ll notice that the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.”

Although we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.

Unfortunately, the studies and surveys referenced in this article didn’t report data on, or include, participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.

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According to current literature, doctors usually perform hip resurfacing on physically active males, as they tend to have higher and more stable bone density than females. Candidates typically:

are younger than 60 years of age
have large bone frames
have strong and healthy bones

Doctors primarily use hip resurfacing to treat osteoarthritis, but they may also use it to treat:

rheumatoid arthritis
ankylosing spondylitis
osteonecrosis

According to research, people who generally don’t make good candidates are:

assigned female at birth
have smaller bone structures
older adults
people who wish to become pregnant

Hip-resurfacing implants currently available in the United States use metal-on-metal bearing surfaces. Metalion debris from these implants could be unsafe for a fetus.

According to a 2022 review, surgeons sometimes consider hip resurfacing for younger females. Risks associated with the implant are more common in people who receive small implants. Females are more likely to need smaller implants, so they have an elevated risk.

Pros of hip resurfacing

easier to revise
decreased risk of hip dislocation
allows you to walk with a more natural gait
better postoperative hip mobility
better chance of returning to low impact sports and recreation

Cons of hip resurfacing

risk of femoral neck fracture, which usually requires a traditional hip replacement
friction from metal, which may damage other tissue around the joint
risk of pain and swelling, caused by metal ions released from the metal-on-metal implant, possibly leading to pseudotumors and the need for revision surgery