Who should consider total hip resurfacing arthroplasty?
Young, active patients should consider hip resurfacing when: • arthritis has been resistant to conservative measures; • the patient is sufficiently healthy to undergo the procedure; • the patient understands the risks and alternatives; • the surgeon is trained and experienced in hip-resurfacing surgery; • no medical or surgical contraindication to hip resurfacing exists.What happens without surgery?Pain can be managed with medicine, assistive devices, and some alternative therapies. For some young, active patients, nonsurgical management of debilitating, advanced hip arthritis is not satisfactory.Effectiveness In the hands of an experienced surgeon trained in hip resurfacing, total hip resurfacing arthroplasty is effective in restoring comfort and function to the hip of a well-motivated patient. A 2007 study of 59 hips reported significant improvement in pain, function, range of motion, and activity among patients who were, on average, six years postoperative. The study, published in T
