Total Hip Resurfacing Surgery

As the technology has advanced it has also revolutionized the traditional methods of surgical practices. Now the old practices are no more carried out for hip resurfacing. The medical field is now guided with these latest technologies. The process is performed in such a manner that the hip bone is capped and reformed through metal prosthesis. This surgery has an advantage over traditional means as the hip socket is stabilised with the metal cup. It has better longevity also the discharge of metal ions is minimal during surface rubbing. There is also a note to mark that inferior releasing of metal ions during surgery does not cause any challenges for the health of the individual.

Hip resurfacing through Computer navigation

Hip resurfacing through computer navigation is then done with the assistance of high end cameras, specifically made for the surgery. The cameras take an image of the hip before the surgery. Through the use of electromagnetic computers and instruments, the light is reflected in the camera. With the help of these infrared waves images are formed on the screens, these images help surgeons to easily identify the precise location for operating. These images are also useful for in supplanting new hip in proper coordination to the bones, ligaments and muscles.

The process of minimal invasion

Total hip resurfacing surgery is a complex one and careful examination is involved while operating. The process of minimal invasion is the best method till now. The whole procedure initiates with the metal cap enclosure that is done with cobalt chrome, a mushroom shaped vacuumed mould. This mould is adjusted on the topmost of the femur and the other metal cap inserted in the acetabulum. A very less amount of bone is removed as compared to total hip replacement procedure. Another significant part of undergoing this surgery is carefully choosing your doctor. It is the experience that counts. As soon as the patient tries to move their hip after surgery, the movement is possible with the support of synovial fluid. This fuel helps in lubrication among the newly inserted part and the already existing parts.

The factors behind the damage of the hip joint

Many of the factors contribute towards hip joint injury. The most common ones are-

  • Inheritance
  • Arthritis
  • Past Fractures
  • Infection
  • Your age
  • Calamities and accidents
  • Calcium Deficiencies

 

The advantages and disadvantages

Noteworthy pros of hip resurfacing surgery is a very small amount of bone removal during the surgery. Other possible advantages counted are: as a less probability of hip dislocation which is there due to great dimension femoral head (given that patient has the right amount of femoral head), and an easy access of unique bones with the surgeons.

Metal ware, fractures of femoral necks and hygiene issues that results in uninfected surgery are some of the disadvantages these surgery features. As the femoral neck is totally conserved during the operation, differences in leg length of the patients is also being witnessed. THR consequences in toe-out or toe-in or faults. These are also ended because the femoral neck is kept untouched. These are some of the advantages of hip resurfacing over THR.

The symptoms

Symptoms that require special attention for this hip resurfacing are-

  • Fragile hip joints
  • Unable to walk
  • Hip joint swelling
  • Intolerable pain
  • Not able to sit for a longer time

Any disease demands an extra care and attention. Similarly when a patient is diagnosed with the hip damaging and is about to undergo this hip resurfacing surgery, the patient should become extra cautious. All the medicines and drugs should be taken time to time. Surgeon’s advices and therapies should also be followed at regular intervals and under proper guidance. Regular check-ups should be the key factor before and after the surgery. Ultimately, doctors are the one who is going to perform this surgery.

Case studies related to these surgeries have proven that the success and failure of these operational practises are entirely centred on proper positioning of hip resurfacing devices. So along with better hospitals and modern tools choosing of experienced surgeon is also equally important for the surgery.

Risk factors

There is always one or other risk involved in every surgery we undergo. Some of the risk factors are-

  • Metal toxicity
  • Leg length inequality
  • Osteolysis
  • Bone dislocation
  • Fracture
  • Nerve palsy
  • Sensitivity of metal
  • Vein Thromobosis

These factors are more prevalent in Total Hip Replacement Surgery more willingly than in Hip Resurfacing surgery. Preservation of the femoral neck is an important improvement of hip resurfacing surgery. It is often neglected, but the certainty is that hip resurfacing in actual holds the less the magnitude of “stress shielding” as that of THR.

Dr Dhananjay Gupta

Dr Dhananjay Gupta
Director and Senior Consultant,
Orthopaedics and Joint Reconstruction and Replacement Surgeon
Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, Delhi.