Difference between hip resurfacing and hip replacement

Know the difference between hip resurfacing and hip replacement

With the advancement in medical technology, safe and effective hip replacement surgeries are no more distant dreams for patients suffering from hip arthritis. To rectify hip joint dysfunction, hip resurfacing and hip replacement are two different surgeries that are performed. Dr Avtar Singh, the best hip surgeon discusses the differences between these two surgical procedures.

The contrast between Hip replacement and Hip Resurfacing

Dr. Avtar Singh, the best hip replacement surgeon in India professes that both these surgeries fall under the category of complete joint replacement. However, there are differences in the materials implanted and the extent to which the anatomy of the joint is impacted.

Hip Resurfacing

This is a bone securing procedure crafted specifically for the patients who wish to retain major impact activities such as running, says Dr Avtar Singh. In this surgery, the metal shell is implanted inside the pelvis just similar to that in a total hip replacement procedure. 

But the difference here is, the entire femur bone is not replaced with an implant and stem, rather a part of the ball located on the femur is shaved off so that it can accommodate a big metal cap.

Leveraging the cap shields the rest of the bones in the hip joint. Since the resurfacing procedure employs metal upon metal, it is this hard bearing surfaces that make it technically last for longer. These two metal surfaces cast off the concerns related to the plastic part of a hip replacement exhausting.

Hip Replacement

In this procedure, both sides of the hip joints are replaced. In contrast to the hip resurfacing surgery, the ball and neck of the femur are removed. Then a ceramic or metal ball is implanted in place of the upper part of the femur. The arched shell side of the hip joint is substituted with hard metal scaffolding that accommodates well with a hard plastic lining. 

This plastic covering frames a different bearing surface that has otherwise been more prone to abrasion over a period of time.Dr. Avtar Singh, the best hip joint treatment doctor notes that incisions in both the procedures are quite alike. Since we shield more bone in the hip resurfacing procedure, it needs a little larger cut to offer mobility to control the bone.

Else the recovery process in both the cases is more or less the same. In both surgeries, the patients are competent to bear weight and walk straight away post the surgery.

Impact of Technology on Influencing Procedure Preferences

It was the hard metal surface that was counted upon as the major benefit of hip resurfacing surgery, retaining the patient’s original femoral neck. Post this surgery the patients were allowed to resume major impact activities such as playing basketball, running and many other, that too without any restriction, while the patients who had undergone the hip replacement surgery were restricted to perform a number of activities. 

They were recommended to restrain from high impact activities because of the fear of wearing out of the plastic component that had been implanted. Consequently, hip resurfacing was widely opted by young patients.However, with the rise in plastic technology, the durability of the hip replacement implants also increased. Over the last decade, the longevity of the plastic used in hip replacement surgery has been improved drastically, explains Dr Avtar Singh.

With the setting in the early 2000s the plastic implants showed greater improvement with minimal signs of abrasion. The introduction of the latest plastics have certainly decreased the age-related challenges with hip replacements and also diminished the hip resurfacing needs.

Why Choose Amandeep Hospital — The Best Hip Replacement Hospital in INDIA

Hip joint problems do not have to spell the end to an active lifestyle. If you are encountering worrisome signs and symptoms or consistent pain in the hip joints, the best joint replacement surgeon in India, Dr. Avtar Singh at Amandeep Hospital, the best hip replacement hospital in India, can help you with his expertise and experience in this medical field.

He closely examines and designs an appropriate plan for treating patients with hip-related problems. Initially, non-surgical procedures are recommended by the doctor if the case seems to set right without any surgeries. In case these non-invasive procedures fail, the surgeon advises the appropriate type of hip surgery: hip resurfacing or hip replacement.

Although, both hip resurfacing and hip replacement follow the procedure of reshaping the surface area of the damaged bone and the implantation of a metal cup. The hip resurfacing procedure comprises only a specific type of metal-bearing which might wear out with time and also generate debris.

This is one of the reasons why doctors do not widely recommend this procedure and especially on the women of childbearing age to avoid any complications in their pregnancy due to metal ions.

If you are facing any orthopaedic problems then consult the doctor right away.

So begin your journey to healthy joints with Amandeep Hospital.