Hip Resurfacing vs. Total Hip Replacement

sjmom2329 · 02-15-2007, 10:48 AM

Has anyone had experience with hip resurfacing as opposed to total hip replacement?

VeryHappy · 02-15-2007, 10:55 AM

My DH had total hip replacement four years ago and has been thrilled with the results. The other hip is now starting to get testy so he's considering the resurfacing. (He's probably a year or two away from either for the second hip.) My understanding so far is that there's a lot less experience and longevity statistics with resurfacing.

The replacement was wonderful, and his only regret is that he didn't do it sooner.

happycollegemom · 02-15-2007, 11:34 AM

sjmom~ i HAVE a total hip replacement! saved my life! 7 years old as of this valentine's day! i had it kinda young due to undiscovered congenital hip/femur placement. perfect response!!! if i can help, don't hesitate!

sjmom2329 · 02-15-2007, 11:55 AM

Thanks, both of you. I'm also young -- probably had undetected damage from ballet/gymnastics. I was hoping that the resurfacing option would work, but I haven't yet gotten additional opinions. But I've heard only success stories from those who've had THR. I just hate the thought of more surgery!

StickerShock · 02-15-2007, 01:02 PM

sjmom: Age has a lot to do with the choice. For younger people, resurfacing is great, because you are removing less bone. To do a resurfacing, the femur is machined & a hollow hemisphere is attached. This acts as the ball that fits into the socket of your hip joint. Orthopaedic surgery is an awful lot like carpentry, actually. The bone underneath can eventually become necrotic, which requires a total replacement down the line. But as less bone was removed for the resurfacing, there is then more to work with once a THR is necessary.

Resurfacing has been around since the 1960's. It fell out of favor when THRs were seen to be getting better results. But new surgical methods are now showing resurfacing to be very promising.

Good luck! Either way, it will be wonderful to get back mobility & get rid of the pain.

happycollegemom · 02-15-2007, 01:07 PM

sjmom~ be sure you have a really good orthopedic person! also, since i was young, i have the kind of prosthesis, where you are not cemented, but your own bone grows into it...LONG lasting! best of luck!