Harry N. - Just my Opnion,
but I thought I'd pass it on!

If you only have a few minutes and you like things simple, straightforward, and clear--here's my OPINION, as a PATIENT who has gone through it--on what you should know about hip resurfacing (HR).

"This is what I'd tell a friend over drinks. If you like to research things out--enter the patient community part of this site and knock yourself out! It's not all there - it's growing and it depends on each of us adding, but if we help each other out - maybe those coming after us will have an easier time. What's that say? Pay it forward. "

 

What is Hip Resurfacing? ...

It's an alternative to total hip replacement (THR) that may be a better alternative for certain candidates--young people, older people who are very active and want to stay that way, people with good bone stock.

Here's my analogy--Total hip replacement would be like pulling a tooth and implanting a new one. Hip Resurfacing would be like capping a tooth--they don't pull it out, they just grind it down a bit, preserve it and put a cap on it.

Total hip replacement (THR) is a solid proven surgery that has a long successful history. Historically, it's only drawback was that it often didn't last more than 12-15 years and would have to be revised--a procedure I'm told is difficult and can only be done once or twice. Consequently, it was best for the elderly and less active.

If the candidate is young, or very active and wants to stay that way, and has good bone stock, they MAY be a candidate for the hip resurfacing. I was a pretty typical obvious candidate--diagnosed with OA, 59, athletic, good bones, just no cartilage left in my left hip. I still wanted to hike, cycle, ski, sail, run after grandkids.

It's a Process ...

First just get an orthopedic surgeon to take the basic xrays and tell you what is going on. Then do your research.

Here's the tricky part--I found out that this is a more difficult operation and a newer operation than a THR--consequently, if you think you are a candidate, you may have to do some work to find the surgeon to do it. I certainly had to. At the minimum, you want a surgeon who is experienced and who is doing it regularly and getting good results with people you can talk to. If you want to find the top docs in the field, a little hunting on this site or the surfacehippy yahoo group will yield them--though you may have to travel. I did.

But these days, its really no big deal to send your xrays to a doc in another location and get an opinion as to your candidacy. A follow up interview before you commit is always good.

Having the Surgery...
Get Prepared and do Your Work! ...

Again, in my opinion, you get your best results by preparing with a good "prehab" program designed by a PT. It has been my experience that people don't realize this: the doc gives you a new joint. But it is the muscles and tendons and nerves that move that joint and your body around. The stronger they are going in, the better and faster you come out. My opinion. I AM NOT A DOCTOR!!

You get scheduled, get the surgery, spend 3 days or so in the hospital, and then start your rehab. Some docs are more partial to rehab than others. Personally, I liked it. It took a couple weeks to be getting around well, about 5 weeks to get back to a reasonably normal function and 10 weeks til I was 90%. Now it's been 8 months and I can't tell any difference. I'm 100%.

In Summary...                                  

"Don't go into this blind. Do your research here and elsewhere. Talk to "fellow travelers", especially patients that have been there. Talk to the docs. Make an informed decision. Both hip resurfacing and total hip replacement are great surgeries that can give you your life back. You can easily work out with an experienced surgeon which one will be the best for you !