It is widely known that total hip replacement is considered to be a good solution for hip arthritis. The primary objective of this surgery is to remove the two damaged components of the patient’s hip joint usually known in the medical lingo as the ‘ball and socket’. During surgery doctors will have to replace these parts with artificial implants.
Generally hip replacement is good but for the younger patients the main disadvantage seems to be that this replacement does not last a lifetime. Further hip replacements are necessary but how often this is required depends on many factors. It is this reason that doctors usually try to advise patients who have had total hip replacement to refrain from vigorous physical activities.
Hip resurfacing on the other hand is a medical procedure that aims to replace the hip joint’s two surfaces. What it tries to achieve is to conserve bone since the femoral head is never removed but reconstructed to be able to accept a metal sphere. When choosing this type of surgery, patients go through a lower risk of any dislocation when compared to the conventional total hip replacement surgery.
Are You Suitable For Hip Resurfacing?
The best candidates for hip resurfacing procedure are those who are good candidates for hip replacements as well and who are in the age category of between 55 – 65 years of age. Medical data has shown that these are the people very suitable for this surgery provided they do not have some types of arthritis that already caused deformity to the femoral head.
Hip Resurfacing Results Better Than Total Hip Replacement
Hip resurfacing procedure has only been in existence for just over ten years but so far the results in terms of patient success rates have shown to be much better than total hip replacement.
When Do Doctors Recommend Hip Resurfacing?
There are four main medical conditions that doctors will consider recommending hip resurfacing to their patients. They are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Developmental Dysplasia and Avascular necrosis.
Recovery after Hip Resurfacing
The best part about this surgery is that patients can walk on the same day after surgery using medical walking aids like walking canes or crutches, whichever suit them better. This means they can almost immediately begin physiotherapy that their doctors order to get them fast on the road to a full recovery. Such exercise programs are very important since they help their hip muscle strengthening which does a great job in protecting their new hip and hopefully helping it last a lifetime.
So people who are considering total hip replacement now have a good alternative to consider in Hip Resurfacing and they should discuss with their doctors if they are suitable for this procedure.
