What is Hip Resurfacing Surgery
A standard hip replacement surgery replaces both the hip socket and the ball part of your thigh bone with artificial parts. Hip resurfacing, on the other hand, is a more bone conservative procedure that only replaces the hip socket. It preserves the ball part of your thigh bone by placing a metal cap on the ball, similar to placing a crown on a tooth. This means that less of your bone is removed, which can be beneficial for younger patients who want to maintain an active lifestyle and may require another surgery later on in life.
Hip joint resurfacing surgery in Houston is bone conserving alternative to total hip replacement. It’s a good option for extremely active patients under the age of 65 who have osteoarthritis and want to avoid a more extensive surgical procedure. As an experienced hip surgeon, Dr. Ihekweazu can help you determine if hip resurfacing is the right choice for you.
Advantages of Hip Resurfacing Treatment in Houston
One potential advantage of hip resurfacing is that it may be easier to revise in the future. Over time, the artificial parts in both hip resurfacing and total hip replacement can wear out or loosen. If this happens, you may need another surgery to replace the worn-out parts.
Because hip resurfacing removes less bone from your thigh bone than total hip replacement, some surgeons believe it’s easier to perform a revision surgery if needed.
Another potential benefit of hip resurfacing is a lower risk of hip dislocation. The ball part of the artificial hip is larger in hip resurfacing, which can make it harder for the hip joint to come out of place. However, this is still a matter of debate, as other factors can also influence the risk of dislocation.
Some studies suggest that people who have hip resurfacing may have more natural hip mechanics than those who have total hip replacement.
Candidates for Hip Resurfacing
While hip resurfacing has some advantages, it’s not suitable for everyone. During the consultation, Dr. Ihekweazu and our team will carefully examine your hip joint to see if you’re a good candidate. Because hip resurfacing keeps the ball part of your thigh bone intact, it’s important to have strong bones. Additionally, Hip resurfacing is only approved for patients with larger bones in order to reduce the risk for metal ion problems. Therefore, the vast majority of women are not good candidates for the surgery since their bones are not large enough to support the minimum required implant size.
Generally, younger patients with larger bone structures and healthy bones are ideal candidates for hip resurfacing with Dr. Ihekweazu in Houston. Older patients, women, and those with smaller frames may have weaker bones, which can increase the risk of complications after surgery, such as a broken thigh bone or metal ion problem. For these reasons, Dr. Ihekweazu does not recommend hip resurfacing for these patients.
Surgical Procedure
Dr. Ihekweazu prefers to perform Hip resurfacing surgery under spinal anesthesia. An incision is made on your thigh to access your hip joint. The ball part of your thigh bone will be dislocated from the socket, reshaped, and fitted with a metal cap.
The damaged part of the hip socket will also be removed and replaced with a metal cup. Once completed, the hip is put back into its normal position and the tissues are repaired anatomically.
Recovery After Hip Resurfacing Procedure in Houston
All hip resurfacing patients are eligible to go home on the same day of your surgery in Houston. Soon after, you’ll start putting weight on your leg, and you’ll need to use a walker or cane for a few weeks until you can walk without help.
Dr. Ihekweazu and our team will provide you with a recovery plan that includes medication and exercises. If you follow this plan, you should fully recover within a few months.
Patient testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the ideal candidate for hip resurfacing in Houston?
Very active patients under sixty five with strong, larger bones do best. Most women and patients with smaller frames are not candidates because of minimum implant sizing requirements and the associated metal ion risk.
How is hip resurfacing different from total hip replacement?
Resurfacing caps the femoral head with metal instead of removing it, much like a crown on a tooth. Total hip replacement removes the ball entirely, so resurfacing conserves significantly more thigh bone.
Is hip resurfacing easier to revise later?
Because less femoral bone is removed, many surgeons find later conversion to a total hip replacement more straightforward. That preserved bone reserve is a key reason younger Houston patients consider resurfacing first.
Can I return to running and sports after hip resurfacing?
Yes. The larger ball design and preserved bone support high demand activity, and many patients resume running, tennis, and weight training. Dr. Ihekweazu sets your activity timeline during Houston follow up visits.
What type of anesthesia is used for hip resurfacing?
Dr. Ihekweazu prefers spinal anesthesia, which reduces nausea, blood loss, and grogginess afterward. The anesthesiology team at Texas Orthopedic Hospital monitors you throughout and reviews every option during your preoperative appointment.
Book Your Appointment Now!
Surgery is never easy, but for people with arthritis, it can be a way to improve their quality of life. If you’re considering hip resurfacing surgery in Houston, Dr. Ihekweazu can help you learn more about the procedure. Call our office at (713) 799-2300 to schedule a consultation.