Total hip replacement is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic surgeries, with about 544,000 procedures performed each year in the United States.
But orthopedic surgeons are also recommending a different, less invasive procedure known as hip resurfacing for certain patients.
Dr. Vasilios Mathews is committed to researching and adopting the most advanced surgical solutions for his patients, and educating them about all their options. As Houston’s premier orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mathews puts his patients first by listening to them with sensitivity and creating customized treatment plans to meet their unique needs.
First, it’s important to become familiar with the components of the hip joint. As a ball-and-socket joint, the round upper part of your thigh bone — the femoral head — nestles into the socket, or the acetabulum.
The hip joint is the second largest joint in your body (after your knees), and it:
Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement, but it’s distinct from a total hip replacement, in which the patient’s damaged socket and femoral head are removed and replaced with artificial components.
Instead, during this procedure, Dr. Mathews doesn’t entirely remove the femoral head — he trims, or resurfaces, only several centimeters of bone, so more of the patient’s joint can be preserved. The femoral neck is also preserved.
Dr. Mathews uses the sophisticated BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing System (BHR), which he adopted because of its evidence-based success and bone-sparing advantage.
It consists of two parts — the femoral head (which is larger than normal and is coated with cement to prevent postsurgical dislocation) and the acetabular component, or the new socket, which is a metal cup. He positions the acetabular components by pressing them into place, which is how a standard hip replacement goes, and then places the reduced femoral head securely.
Not everyone can undergo hip resurfacing. You’re a candidate if you’re:
Dr. Mathews also considers your bone quality and femoral head size before recommending hip resurfacing with the BHR method.
If you’re an active younger man, hip resurfacing may be an ideal choice for you because of its track record of success and the fact that it’s been proven safe:
Dr. Mathews is happy to speak with you about more of the specifics around hip resurfacing and whether you’re a candidate for the procedure.
Please contact our Houston office at 713-794-3548 to learn more or book an appointment online.
