How Does Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Differ from Hip Replacement?
During traditional hip replacement, the femoral head and the acetabulum are removed and replaced with prosthetics. A Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedure differs in that just the femoral head is removed and replaced with the femoral head resurfacing component. Unlike a traditional hip replacements, patients can resume vigorous physical activities after their hip has healed, such as running or tennis. …show more content…
There are two components of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing system: a shallow cup that takes the place of the socket and a cap that resembles the ball head of the joint. The cup replaces the damaged portion of the acetabulum, or hip socket. The cap covers the femoral head at the top of the thigh. The metal surfaces are highly polished, allowing the cap to glide smoothly in the cup.
What Occurs During the Procedure?
While under general or localized anesthesia, the surgeon makes a six to eight inch incision above the hip joint. The surgeon then removes a few centimeters of bone around the femoral head. The femoral head is shaped to fit precisely within the cap. The cap is cemented over the femoral head. The acetabulum is prepared in a similar manner with a few centimaters being removed before the cup is pressed securely into place. The incision is then closed.
How Successful is the Procedure?
Studies have shown that five years after receiving the procedure, patients reported better quality of life and more improvement in pain versus a traditional hip replacement. The Birmingham Hip Resufacing method has the lowest risk of revision due to