NYUHJD SURGEONS USE NEW HIP PROCEDURE THAT IS IDEAL FOR YOUNG, ACTIVE PATIENTS
Hip resurfacing, an alternative to total hip replacement, is the ideal solution for young, active patients who suffer from hip pain. As patients get younger and younger, and are staying physically active much later in life, this procedure accommodates their age and lifestyle.
The Birmingham Hip implant is intended for patients suffering from hip pain due to osteoarthritis, dysplasia or avascular necrosis, and for whom total hip replacement may not be appropriate due to their increased level of physical activity. For this reason, most surgeons feel it will be ideal for patients under age 60 who live non-sedentary lifestyles.
Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) technique simply shaves and caps a few centimeters of bone within the joint rather than replacing the entire hip joint as in a total hip replacement. The bone-conserving approach preserves more of the patient’s natural bone structures and stability, covering the joint’s surfaces with an all-metal implant that more closely resembles a tooth cap than a hip implant. This approach reduces the post-operative risks of dislocation and inaccurate leg length, and because the all-metal implant is made from tough, smooth cobalt chrome, it has the potential to last longer than traditional hip implants.
While the implant closely matches the size of a patient’s natural femoral head (hip ball), it is substantially larger than the femoral head of a traditional total hip replacement implant. This increased size translates to greater stability in the new joint, and it decreases the chance of dislocation of the implant after surgery. Dislocation is a leading cause of implant failure after total hip replacement.
Total hip replacement involves the removal of the entire femoral head and neck. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing technique, however, leaves the head and neck untouched. It is this neck length and angle that determines the natural length of a patient’s leg after surgery, and since it is not removed and replaced with an artificial device during the resurfacing procedure, there is a greater likelihood of maintaining accurate leg length.
This hip implant is an all-metal ball and socket joint. Traditional hip replacements use a metal ball and a plastic socket. As would be assumed, this plastic socket wears down over time, and may need to be replaced surgically. In fact, it is a leading cause of follow-up surgeries. All-metal total hip replacements reduce joint wear by 97-percent compared to total hip implants containing these plastic sockets.
For more information on the Birmingham Hip replacement, contact Dr. Joseph Zuckerman at (212) 598-6674, Dr. Patrick Meere at (212) 263-2366, or Dr. Steven Stuchin at (212) 598-6708.
