Hip Resurfacing Surgery in South Africa

Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery is an alternative to the total hip replacement surgery, which is indicated in patients with advanced arthritis of the hip. The latter could be performed as an anterior hip replacement or posterior hip replacement.

Both hip resurfacing and total hip replacement procedures are, in a way, a form of hip replacement. In Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery, the femoral head of the bone is not removed.

Instead, it is trimmed and capped with a metal covering and the damaged bone is replaced with a metal cup. In total hip replacement surgery (anterior hip replacement and posterior hip replacement), the femoral head and neck of the bone are removed and replaced with a metal ball and a metal stem.

Conditions that are treated with hip resurfacing

• Arthritis
• Fracture
• Increased stress to the bones because of obesity (overuse of the bones)
• Congenital abnormalities
• Necrosis (loss of blood supply)

Best Candidates For Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Surgery

Patients with advanced arthritis of the hip are recommended to undergo hip resurfacing surgery. Hip resurfacing is not suitable for all patients. Patients below 60 years who have strong healthy bones are allowed to undergo hip resurfacing surgery. Patients with femoral neck cysts, severe bone loss, and osteoporosis are not suitable for this procedure.

• Hip resurfacing surgery takes around two to three hours to complete. First, a general or a spinal anaesthesia is administered. The surgical site is then cleaned with an antiseptic liquid.
• The surgeon makes an incision in the thigh to reach the hip joint. The femoral head is dislocated from the joint and then trimmed with the help of specialized instruments. After the femoral head is trimmed, the metal cap is inserted on to the femoral head. A special instrument called reamer is used to remove the cartilage lining the socket and a metal cup is fixed.
• After fixing the metal cup, femoral head (metal head) is relocated into the joint. The incision is then closed and the patient is closely monitored until he or she is recovering from anaesthesia.

1. Hip resurfacing recovery rate varies from one patient to another. Typically, a patient is required to stay in the hospital for at least three to seven days. The hospital stay depends on the extent of pain that the patient experiences and the overall general health.
2. Intravenous fluids and pain medications are administered to the patient during hospitalization days. A physical therapist guides the patient about the exercises that he or she must perform every day for quick healing and recovery.
3. Sitting and walking is usually permitted by the physician, depending on the condition of the patient. The patient is required to walk with the help of crutches for at least two weeks after discharge. To keep hip resurfacing recovery under check, the patient must see the physician as per the follow-up schedule.
4. The combined movement of bending of the hip and turning of the foot should be avoided as it may cause dislocation of the joint. A pillow should be placed between the legs while sleeping for at least four weeks after the surgery and crossing of the legs should be completely avoided.
5. Elevated toilet seats should be used to reduce the discomfort. The wound should be kept clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection. Excess drainage, redness, swelling, and fever should be reported immediately to the physician.

Pros

• Decreased bone damage and osteolysis (erosion of bone)
• Decreased chances of bone dislocation as the size of the metal ball is nearly equal to the size of the natural femoral head
• Revision surgery or exchange of implant is easier as less bone is removed
• The walking pattern of the patient after surgery seems natural when compared with the walking pattern of the patient who undergoes total hip replacement surgery
• The activity level after resurfacing is higher as compared to total hip replacement surgery

Cons                                       

• Risk of femoral neck fracture
• Loosening of the metal implants
• Risk of pain and swelling due to allergic reaction to metal ions

Hip Resurfacing Complications

• Infection: The infection can be prevented by keeping the wound clean and dry.
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis): Deep vein thrombosis can be prevented by performing physical exercises recommended by the physiotherapist.
• Fractures: The risk of a fracture can be prevented by avoiding careless movement causing falls.