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Hip Resurfacing is Viable Alternative to Hip Replacement
Patients who had hip resurfacing surgery, such as the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing technique, reported a better quality of life, less pain and greater satisfaction a year after surgery.

Patients who had hip resurfacing surgery, such as the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing technique, reported a better quality of life, less pain and greater satisfaction a year after surgery than those who had a total hip replacement, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2009 Annual Meeting.

The study was based on data on the outcomes of 214 total hip replacement patients and 132 hip resurfacing patients that was recorded in a joint registry maintained at a single surgeon’s practice from 2003-2006. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Anne Lingard of Freeman Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, was the study’s lead researcher.

Each patient enrolled in the study completed a questionnaire preoperatively and one year after surgery. The questionnaire included the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (referred to as WOMAC, it is a 24-item questionnaire that is completed by the patient and focuses on joint pain, stiffness and loss of function related to osteoarthritis of the knee and hip) and the SF-36, a self-report questionnaire completed by the patient that measures health-related quality of life (and generates 8 subscales: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role-limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health; and 2 summary scores: physical component and mental component). The patients also completed a questionnaire regarding satisfaction with their procedures and outcomes one year after surgery.

The study showed that one year after surgery both groups of patients experienced significant improvements in WOMAC and SF-36. Hip-resurfacing patients, however, posted significantly higher WOMAC scores for decreased pain symptoms. When asked about patient satisfaction with the surgery, a greater number of hip-resurfacing patients said they were satisfied with their ability to perform functional activities after surgery.

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Keywords: hip resurfacing, hip replacement, joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, minimally invasive surgery
Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam, Consultant Orthopedic surgeon at the Madras Joint Replacement center opines that hip resurfacing allows excellent range of movements with least incidence of dislocation in males younger than 60 years. While choosing female patients who demand hip resurfacing, one has to be more selective says the surgeon. Females with small femoral head circumference less than 44 mm had a higher risk of complications like femoral neck fracture. Therefore female patients with large bone size in the appropriate age group with good bone density are also suitable candidates for Hip resurfacing.

Dr.A.K.Venkatachalam, consultant Orthopedic suregeon
Madras Joint Replacement center
Chennai, India
http://www.hipsurgery.in