Resurfacing of the hip joint

Many surgical methods are used to treat the pelvic joint, such as replacing one pelvic joint with another. Still, recently I found another technique used to treat the pelvic joint. It is known as resurfacing of the hip joint or hip regeneration. We will talk in this article about this operation and how to perform it.

What is the process of resurfacing the surface of the hip joint ?

Hip resurfacing is a type of surgical procedure used to treat the hip joint, which relieves pain caused by arthritis and many other conditions that cause joint pain.

What distinguishes hip resurfacing from Total Hip Replacement or THR is that it preserves the bone in the patient rather than completely removing and replacing it. For this reason, many patients prefer to perform it rather than replace the hip joint.

When is hip resurfacing performed?

Hip joint regeneration is performed when pain is felt in the hip and pelvic area, which may be a symptom of some conditions, including :

• Osteoarthritis is the most common cause.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Osteonecrosis.

• Having an injury or fracture in the hip joint.

• Osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

What are the conditions that prevent the hip joint surface flattening operation ?

There are some cases in which the likelihood of developing some complications is higher when the hip joint surface is levelled, such as :

• It is performed for the elderly, at the age of 65 years or older, as the bones of this age group are thin and weak, which may cause fractures and other complications.

• They are performed for females, as males have stronger bones than females.

• Performed for patients with bone disorders.

How is hip resurfacing performed ?

In the normal position, in the hip joint, the femoral head moves smoothly within the cavity designated for it. The hole is usually lined with cartilage, which helps it to move smoothly. Still, if the joint is damaged, this causes pain due to the bones rubbing against each other.

During the operation of resurfacing the hip joint surface, the surgeon makes an incision in the hip area from the back, and then the doctor cuts the head of the femur and covers it with a smooth metal cover, that is, it is not completely removed. The doctor also removes the damaged bone from the hip socket and replaces it with a metal cap.

What is the difference between hip replacement and hip resurfacing ?

As mentioned earlier, during the hip resurfacing process, the doctor cuts small amounts of damaged cartilage and bone, and almost all of the bone is preserved in the thigh and hip socket, in contrast, in hip replacement, the doctor removes the entire head of the femur and replaces it with a piece of metal. But in both operations, the socket of the hip bone is replaced by a metal cap.

What are the advantages of resurfacing the hip joint ?

There are many advantages to the process, including the following :

• The risk of infection is lower.

• The risk of hip dislocation is lower than a hip replacement since the size of the femoral head is close to normal in a hip regeneration process.

• The hip joint is more stable than the hip joint used in a hip replacement, which is important if the patient is active.

• Suppose another operation is required, often 15 to 20 years after the first operation. In that case, its results are better than the second operation after the hip replacement.

• Walking is more natural after resurfacing the hip joint.

What are the complications of hip resurfacing ?

In general, hip regeneration does not cause any complications. Still, like other surgeries, it may sometimes cause some difficulties, which include the following :

• Infection.

• Excessive bleeding.

• Thrombosis.

• Injury to the nerves adjacent to the thigh.

• Incidence of fractures of the femur, and if they occur, a referral to a complete hip replacement is required.

• Complications arise from general anaesthesia.