Hip Resurfacing Vs. Hip Replacement: Which Is Right for You?

Hip pain is a common degenerative joint condition that affects 47% of individuals in India, resulting in a global health burden. Finding the best surgical option is important for restoring mobility and enhancing quality of life when hip pain becomes a daily struggle. There are two main surgical options to consider when dealing with hip joint problems: hip replacement and hip resurfacing. 

Both aim to relieve pain and improve movement in individuals suffering from problems such as osteoarthritis, but their approaches and suitability differ greatly. Therefore, patients should understand the differences and evaluate hip resurfacing pros and cons against hip replacement to make well-informed decisions for their treatment. So, read on to learn what hip resurfacing and hip replacement are and how they differ from each other.

What is Hip Resurfacing?

Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure used to repair damage to the hip joint. It is also known as a hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Hip resurfacing involves trimming and covering the femoral head with a smooth metal covering rather than removing it. A metal shell is used to repair the damaged bone and cartilage inside the socket. Hip resurfacing success rates are higher compared to traditional hip replacement, which is about a 95.5% survival rate for 10 years.

Hip Resurfacing Pros & Cons

Who Should Undergo Hip Resurfacing?

Not everyone is a good candidate for hip resurfacing. Your bone health is more important because your surgeon will not replace your entire hip joint. Specifically, your femur needs to be strong and healthy in order to resurface. Best candidates for hip resurfacing include:

• People under 60 
• Those engaged in physical activity.
• Have strong, healthy bones.

A major factor in determining if hip resurfacing is a good option for you is the size of your hip bones. The bones of men are usually bigger than those of women. This indicates that hip resurfacing is typically more appropriate for men than for women. 

How Hip Resurfacing is Performed: Step by Step 

On the day of your surgery, your anesthesiologist will give anesthesia to numb your body and ensure that you do not experience pain. You will get either a regional anesthetic to numb the area surrounding your hip or general anesthesia to put you to sleep. 

Your surgeon will perform a hip resurfacing procedure by taking the following steps: 

1. Make cuts or incisions in the surrounding skin.
2. Remove any damaged bone or cartilage from your hip socket.
3. Put the prosthetic acetabulum in place.
4. Reshape and trim your femur's top (head) to fit the new prosthetic socket. Hip resurfacing gets its name from this process, which is known as resurfacing.
5. After that, your surgeon will put a cap over your femur. Typically, the cap is made of metal, although your surgeon may also use a ceramic one.
6. After resurfacing your femur, they place it into the prosthetic socket and realign your hip joint.

You will be taken to a recovery room after the procedure. Your surgical team will watch you for a few hours after anesthesia to ensure a smooth recovery. They will also monitor the level of pain and vital signs. 

What is Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement surgery is a medical technique that involves removing the damaged hip joint and replacing the worn-out bone and cartilage with an artificial joint (implant). The replacement joint is often made of metal, ceramic, and extremely strong plastic. Another name for hip replacement is hip arthroplasty. This minimally invasive hip surgery option is characterized into two types:

• Partial Hip Replacement: A partial hip replacement involves replacing only the femoral head, the rounded top of your thigh bone. Usually, this technique is limited to removing specific types of tumors, such as chondrosarcoma or osteosarcoma. The doctor may suggest this for repairing specific types of hip fractures, including displaced femoral neck fractures and some intertrochanteric fractures.
• Total Hip Replacement: In a total hip replacement, an artificial joint will be used to replace your entire hip. Your femur, the top bone of your thigh, and the acetabulum, the socket it fits into, are both replaced. 

Hip Replacement Pros & Cons

Who Should Have A Hip Replacement?

A person's overall health and the severity of their hip issue should be taken into consideration before choosing hip replacement. However, it is often considered for individuals with severe arthritis or a catastrophic hip injury that limits their ability to perform daily activities. Hip replacement surgery is the right option for those individuals who frequently experience:

• Osteoarthritis (most common)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
• Injury such as hip fracture
• Tumor in the hip joint

Your doctor will also take into account various other factors, including your age, health, lifestyle needs, degree of hip deterioration, and personal preferences.

How Hip Replacement is Performed: Step by Step 

Typically, hip replacement surgery involves the following steps:

1. Your doctor will give a regional anesthetic prior to your surgery. Regional anesthetic relieves pain throughout your body but does not totally put you to sleep. Regional anesthetic is also known as a spinal block.
2. Next, your surgeon will take out bone and cartilage from your current hip joint.
3. Then, they will insert a prosthesis. Usually, prosthetic hips are made up of ceramic, plastic, or metal.
4. Your surgeon will suture the surgical wound together once the hip implants are firmly in place.

The complete procedure of hip replacement takes one to two hours. Depending on the type of surgery you require (whether it is partial or total hip replacement), your surgeon will estimate the duration of the procedure. Additionally, the partial and total hip replacement recovery times will vary from each other. Partial hip replacement will take 12 weeks whereas total hip replacement will take 12-15 weeks.

Differentiating Total Resurfacing vs Hip Replacement 

Hip replacement and hip resurfacing are the two main surgical techniques that doctors frequently suggest for the treatment of chronic hip pain and dysfunction. Take a look at this table to help you make the right choice:

Get Rid of Your Hip Pain by Choosing the Right Hospital!

Choosing between hip resurfacing and total hip replacement is not always easy. While both procedures have their pros and cons, the decision is based on your specific circumstances and general health profile. Apart from considering hip replacement vs hip resurfacing longevity, always get advice from your doctor to help choose the best option that meets your needs. 

Our team of experts at Apollo Spectra will assess your unique circumstances and help you in choosing the procedure that best suits your goals and way of life. Make an appointment right now to speak with the best replacement specialists to get information about your choices for treatment.