Hip Replacement or Hip Resurfacing?
Patients unfamiliar with these hip procedures may wonder - what is the difference? When you're looking into a hip pain solution it's best to understand what both hip replacement and hip resurfacing can do for you.
When to Consider Hip Replacement and Hip Resurfacing (Hip Replacement Symptoms)
Hip replacement surgery is typically indicated for hip pain that limits your everyday activities. When simple tasks like walking or bending over become uncomfortable or even agonizing, it may be time to do something about your chronic hip pain.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
During a total hip replacement operation, the surgeon removes the damaged or worn hip socket and ball. First, an incision is made on the upper thigh or buttock; this incision can be approached from the rear as well as from the front (posterior-lateral vs. anterior-lateral).
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Maitino is fellowship-trained in hip replacement procedures and utilizes minimally invasive techniques to perform total hip replacement surgery, meaning you will recover with a much smaller, less noticeable scar. Minimally invasive surgical techniques often give the benefit of having less post-operative downtime, as well.
Hip Resurfacing Surgery
Hip resurfacing is indicated for the same pains as total hip replacement, but is performed when the original hipbone can be salvaged. Hip replacement involves cutting out the infected joint and installing a prosthetic in its place made of cobalt, chrome, titanium and plastic. In hip resurfacing surgery, much less bone is removed and more of the original bone is preserved.
Surgeons performing hip resurfacing surgery will shave off the top of the femur (thigh bone) so it can accept a smooth metal cap, which will become the joint's new surface. Only the affected portion of the bone is removed, and the cap becomes the new surface.
Total Hip Replacement and hip resurfacing is analogous to pulling teeth vs. getting a crown. In one case the entire tooth is removed; in the other case, the healthy tooth is salvaged.
Oklahoma City's Joint Reconstruction Specialist
Dr. Paul Maitino is Oklahoma City's hip resurfacing and total hip replacement surgeon. Dr. Maitino has performed over 1,000 total hip replacements and more than 100 hip resurfacing procedures.
Find out more about Dr. Maitino »
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