Which Option May be the Best for You?

If you're facing hip surgery due to arthritis or joint damage, you may be wondering about your options. At Resurgens Orthopaedics, we offer both total hip replacement and hip resurfacing procedures. But how do you know which might be right for you? We sat down with Dr. Stephen Kim, one of our joint replacement specialists, to discuss the key differences, benefits, and considerations for each procedure.

Understanding the Fundamental Differences

Both procedures aim to address the same problem—worn-out cartilage in the hip joint that causes pain and limits mobility. However, they differ significantly in their approach.

"Both hip resurfacing and hip replacement are replacing the worn-out cartilage. We're eliminating the arthritis in both procedures. The difference comes down to the implant," explains Dr. Kim.

With a total hip replacement, surgeons remove the entire femoral head (the ball portion of the ball-and-socket joint) and replace it with a metal stem inserted into the hollow of the femur, topped with a new ceramic or metal ball. The socket portion of the joint receives a similar treatment in both procedures.

Hip resurfacing, however, takes a more conservative approach to the femoral head. "Instead of cutting off that ball, we're basically shaving off the cartilage on the ball and then recapping it with a metal cap," says Dr. Kim.

This difference in approach affects how the implant distributes force during activities. "The hip resurfacing is loaded similar to your normal anatomy, whereas the hip replacement you're loading through the stem that's inside your bone," Dr. Kim notes.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Hip Resurfacing?

According to Dr. Kim, while hip replacement is suitable for nearly everyone with hip arthritis, hip resurfacing is ideal for a specific subset of patients:

"It really comes down to their level of activity before and desired activity after surgery," he says. "If somebody tells me that they're playing golf and a little pickleball, and that's what they consider pretty active—those are certainly things you can do with a hip replacement."

However, for more active individuals, hip resurfacing may offer advantages: "For somebody who comes in and is a long-time runner, still does Ironman competitions, and they don't want to give up that level of intensity, then resurfacing is really the better option."

There are also some technical limitations to consider. Dr. Kim points out that hip resurfacing is generally most appropriate for:

• Men under 60 years of age
• Patients with straightforward arthritis (without congenital defects or previous trauma)
• Individuals with bones above a certain size (which often excludes many female patients)
• People without metal allergies, particularly to cobalt, chromium, or nickel

Recovery Timeline Differences

If you're considering either procedure, understanding the recovery process is important.

"The hip resurfacing is a bigger operation... it takes a little longer and there's more surgical dissection," Dr. Kim explains. "Recovery-wise, early on in the first two to four weeks, it is a little slower with the resurfacing over total hip replacement, but after around six weeks, there's very little difference between the two."

Interestingly, Dr. Kim notes that many resurfacing patients are highly motivated and doing well even at the two-week mark. "If anything, we usually have to slow them down because they're trying to do too much," he says.

Getting Back to an Active Lifestyle

For highly active patients, the ability to return to their favorite activities is often a primary concern. Hip resurfacing offers significant advantages in this area.

"We really don't like you doing too much running or jumping with the hip replacement, but with the resurfacing, you can pretty much return to full activity," Dr. Kim states. "There have been numerous examples of professional athletes returning to high-level competitive sports after the resurfacing surgery."

Activities that may be better suited for hip resurfacing patients include:

• Long-distance running
• High-intensity training
• Soccer and basketball
• Singles tennis
• Activities involving running and jumping

Dr. Kim shared the story of one patient who even attempted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro after hip resurfacing surgery. Though altitude sickness prevented him from reaching the summit, he was able to climb nearly to the top "without his hip hurting."

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, both procedures offer excellent outcomes for the right patients. When making your decision, consider your activity level and desired post-surgery activities as well as any metal sensitivities. At Resurgens Orthopaedics, Dr. Kim and our team of specialists will evaluate your specific situation and help you determine which procedure aligns best with your lifestyle and goals. If you're experiencing hip pain and would like to learn more about your treatment options, schedule online today to schedule a consultation with one of our joint replacement specialists.