There are several conventional total hip replacement systems that have been proven to work well in elderly inactive patients. In that age group, which forms the vast majority of hip arthroplasty procedures, the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing is neither indicated nor desirable on account of osteoporosis and the risk of femoral neck fracture.

In the young and active patient population conventional total hip replacement has proven to function poorly with patients invariably requiring multiple revision surgery during their lifetime. It is in the younger and more active patients that the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing is indicated.

Am I a Candidate for Birmingham Hip Resurfacing ?

Conventional Total Hip Replacement (THR) remains an excellent treatment method for elderly, relatively inactive patients with hip arthritis. THR has been proven over many years and for the majority of hip arthritis sufferers this procedure will remain the treatment of choice.

Hip resurfacing with a metal/metal articulation shows great promise for the category of hip arthritis sufferers, who are not good candidates for THR, namely younger and more active patients.

Derek McMinn FRCS and Ronan Treacy FRCS have initiated the modern era of hip resurfacing. It must be recognized however that the resurfacing procedure is not proven in the long term, with their maximum follow-up at the time of writing 9 years 2 months (Feb' 91). Large numbers of patients have only been treated over the past 6 years 1 month (Since Mar' 94) with the hybrid fixed components.

At this time therefore, for an individual patient with hip arthritis they must decide if they are good candidates for conventional THR on account of age and activity level. If they are good candidates for THR, then it is unwise to turn away from the proven procedure of THR and seek treatment with the more experimental procedure of hip resurfacing, where the long term results are unknown.

In patients where age and/or activity level make them poor candidates for conventional THR then the Hip Resurfacing method can reasonally be considered.

Check List

1) What is your age?

2) Has your doctor suggested that activity associated with your occupation or sport render you unsuitable for a THR?

3) Is your bone quality good enough for a hip resurfacing?

4) Has the bone around your Arthritic hip been destroyed?

5) Do you clearly understand that hip resurfacing is unproven in the long term?

6) Do you think that hip resurfacing may be a good procedure for you?

If so then Midland Medical Technologies will be able to provide you with details of a surgeon in your area who is trained in the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. That surgeon will be able to make a detailed assessment of your hip arthritis problem, discuss available alternative treatment options and if you and your surgeon agree then a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing can be performed.