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A new hip joint can make a huge difference in mobility and quality of life for men and women seeking relief from pain or arthritis in the hip. But some patients hesitate to go through the procedure due to concerns about the need for a second surgery.  If you have been putting off hip replacement surgery because you are worried about how long the components will last, a cutting-edge procedure called hip resurfacing might be the answer for you. Dr. Ralph Salvagno, medical director of the Center for Joint Replacement at Meritus Medical Center, is now performing hip resurfacing as an alternative to traditional hip replacement.

During hip resurfacing, the femoral (thigh bone) head is dislocated from the pelvic socket. The worn cartilage and damaged first layer of bone on the femoral head are reshaped to remove the deteriorated area. This head is then capped with a low-wearing metal prosthetic ball that fits snugly into the top of the thigh bone. This new ball fits into a thin metal replacement socket which has been pressed firmly into the pelvic hip socket. Because the new hip ball is larger than the one used in traditional hip replacement, dislocation risk is greatly reduced.

An important key to hip resurfacing is preserving as much of the patient’s bone as possible. Patients under the age of sixty will often outlive a traditional hip replacement. Because the thigh bone is conserved during hip resurfacing, the patient will be a candidate for a less complicated hip replacement if that is needed later. Resurfacing can provide a viable option for younger patients to avoid the need for multiple hip replacements.

Hip resurfacing is ideal for younger or active patients considering hip replacement surgery as a treatment for pain or arthritis in the hip. Active patients over the age of sixty can also be candidates for this procedure.

If you are considering hip resurfacing or replacement, there are many options available that can be tailored to your condition. Contact the Center for Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine at 301-665-4575 to discuss which treatment options might be right for you.