Hip Resurfacing - Patient Selection

Patient Selection

Patient suitability for hip resurfacing is decided by the patient's anatomy and the patient's surgeon. Hip resurfacing is intended for younger patients who are not morbidly obese, are clinically qualified for a hip replacement (determined by the doctor), have been diagnosed with noninflammatory degenerative joint disease, do not have an infection, and are not allergic to the metals used in the implant. Hip resurfacing should not be used on patients who have severe bone loss in their femoral head, those with large femoral neck cysts present (typically found at surgery) or cysts that are close to the head neck junction, or patients who have poor bone stock or osteoporosis. Caution should be used for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, are tall, thin, or small boned, those with osteonecrosis (poor blood supply) to the femoral head, or those with femoral head cysts > 1 cm on an x-ray taken before surgery. Patients with any of these conditions MAY not be suitable candidates for hip resurfacing.