Many patients are apprehensive about undergoing an operation and whether they will go back to leading a normal life after the operation; understandably so. Recently, Andy Murray was in the news when he announced his impending retirement due to a severely damaged right hip. Thankfully, he is back on court playing; enjoying his game – pain-free and healthy after undergoing surgery.
This British professional tennis player has been troubled by hip pain for 10 years affecting his tennis performance due to active playing in professional matches and intense physical activity. Earlier this year, he underwent a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) and announced that he was pain-free. The operation involved removing damaged bone and cartilage from his right hip ball and socket and replacing it with a metal shell. Another example is Bob Bryan, a Doubles tennis player who returned to competitive tennis after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. It is a great alternative to total hip replacement.
Studies reveal that hip and pelvic injuries are commonly seen in sports medicine. Athletes and people playing sports that involve a higher degree of force and intense movements across the hip reporting musculoskeletal complaints amount to 6%. Early detection and screening help increase the effectiveness of this treatment. Patients aged 60 years or less, can benefit from a hip resurfacing procedure as they have strong, healthy bones that can be modified suitably to restore a better quality of life and to address pain from osteoarthritis.
Hip Resurfacing Vs Hip Replacement
Young athletes, people who play competitive sports and physically active individuals suffering from osteoarthritis can opt for hip resurfacing. As opposed to a hip replacement, it preserves more of the patient’s natural bone thereby restoring functionality to the hip through replacing damaged bone and cartilage in the socket. Instead of replacing the entire hip joint, the femoral head and cup are trimmed and resurfaced with a smooth metal dome and cup.
Studies from long-term data suggest that hip resurfacing is far more effective than hip replacement in terms of longevity, function and quality of life especially for young, physically active men.
What is Hip Resurfacing Procedure?
Arthritis in the hip primarily occurs as a result of intense activity leading to painful rubbing of bones. As a result, the cartilage on the ball and the socket of the hip joint wears off over time. As the name suggests, hip resurfacing involves shaving a few millimeters off the joint surface. The procedure entails placing a metal cap on top of the femur, and another metal lining inside the hip pocket to stop the bones from grinding together, thereby eliminating pain.
How do you benefit from Hip Resurfacing?
1. The primary advantage of a hip resurfacing is that the patient with hip resurfacing can return to all their activities such as competitive sports, running or any other physically intensive activity. Patients with hip replacements can live a pain-free life but not to the same level and quality of life as before.
2. For persons aged below 60 years, hip resurfacing is more beneficial in terms of using their natural bone. The weight is borne by the bone itself rather than an “implant”. Consequently, the bone gets stronger with time.
3. There is greater stability of the hip joint from the hip resurfacing implant as the resurfaced ball is similar in size to the natural femoral head. As a result, there is a dramatic reduction in the risk of dislocation and problems related to dislocation such as leg-lengthening or shortening.
4. Being a conservative mode of treatment, the recovery time is shorter and subject to the level of pain/activity, the patient can, in most cases, resume normal activities and lead a pain-free life.
Industry’s Latest Treatments at HKSS
Hong Kong Surgical Specialists offers medical treatments like Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR), Joint Replacement of hip and knee, cartilage implantation, and many other treatments in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department. The specialist doctors and practitioners are highly skilled professionals trained in the latest technologies and medical innovations. Book an appointment to choose the right treatment for your pain and to restore the quality of your life.
If you want to learn more about your condition and solutions available, please make an appointment with a specialist doctor at 2715 4577, via email info@hkss.info or at https://www.hkss.info/booking