Why should I have a hip resurfacing vs. a traditional total hip replacement?
A hip resurfacing and hip replacement are both designed to improve your activity, function, and decrease your pain. The difference lies in the way this is accomplished. For some patients, there is a large difference between a hip resurfacing and a hip replacement because of your age and activity level. For others, there is not such a large difference. For example, a young patient who may outlive his/her first hip replacement may be more willing to have a hip resurfacing because of the preservation of bone. A patient who would like to return to impact activities or activities requiring a high range of motion may have a greater benefit from a hip resurfacing. On the other hand, a patient for whom a total hip replacement can last the rest of his/her life would be a better candidate for a traditional total hip replacement.
