17103 Hip Resurfacing

Overview

Hip resurfacing is a type of hip operation for people with a damaged hip joint. The surgeon smooths the damaged ball of the hip and covers it with a metal cap. The socket is fitted with a metal cup. It keeps more of your own thigh bone than a total hip replacement does.

Hip resurfacing is much less common than total hip replacement. It is done in selected patients, usually by specialist orthopaedic surgeons.

It is most often considered for younger, active adults with hip arthritis and good bone quality. It can be an option for some people in their 40s to 60s, but age alone does not decide whether it is suitable.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Before surgery, people often have pain in the hip or groin that gets worse with walking, stairs, or getting up from a chair.
• The hip may feel stiff, and you may limp or have less movement in the hip.
• After surgery, it is common to have soreness, swelling, bruising, and tiredness for a while. These usually improve with time and physiotherapy.

Symptoms in children

• Hip resurfacing is not usually done in children because their bones are still growing and the growth plates are open.
• Children with hip problems need care from a specialist children's orthopaedic team.

Symptoms in older adults

• Hip resurfacing is less often suitable for older adults because bone strength and fracture risk become more important.
• For some older adults, a total hip replacement may be a safer and more reliable option. Your surgeon will explain the reasons.

Causes

Main causes

• Osteoarthritis of the hip — wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the joint.
• Hip dysplasia — a hip socket that did not form normally.
• Avascular necrosis — when part of the hip bone loses its blood supply and becomes damaged.
• Previous hip injury or childhood hip conditions that led to early joint damage.

Risk factors

• A family history of hip arthritis or hip replacement.
• Previous hip injury or hip surgery.
• Heavy impact sports or physically demanding work over many years.
• Higher body weight, which puts more load on the hip.
• Smoking, which can slow healing and increase surgery risks.
• Poor bone strength, which can make resurfacing less suitable.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have chest pain, trouble breathing, or sudden severe leg swelling.
• Your wound is bleeding heavily, or it is very red, hot, and leaking pus.
• You have a high fever and feel very unwell.
• Your hip pain suddenly gets much worse, or you cannot bear weight after a fall.
• You have new numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg or foot.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Hip pain or stiffness has lasted for weeks and is limiting walking, sleep, or daily activities.
• You are limping or finding it harder to get up from chairs or climb stairs.
• You are considering hip surgery and want to discuss options.
• You have had hip resurfacing and are due a follow-up check, or you have questions about recovery.

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about your pain, walking, health history, and goals. They will examine your hip and review imaging. A specialist orthopaedic surgeon will decide whether hip resurfacing is suitable for you, or whether another treatment is safer.

Tests that may be done

• X-rays of the hip.
• MRI or CT scan if more detail is needed.
• Blood tests to check your general health before surgery.
• A bone density scan if bone strength is a concern.
• Sometimes blood tests to check metal levels if a metal implant is being considered or monitored.

What to expect at your appointment

You may be referred to a hip surgeon. The surgeon will explain the benefits and risks, compare hip resurfacing with total hip replacement, and arrange a pre-operative assessment if surgery is planned.

Treatment

Hip resurfacing is one option for hip arthritis. Treatment usually starts with non-surgical steps such as physiotherapy, activity changes, and pain relief guided by your clinician. Surgery is considered when pain and stiffness seriously affect daily life and other options are no longer enough.

Self-care at home

• Stay active within comfort before surgery — walking, swimming, or cycling may help keep muscles strong.
• Ask your clinician about physiotherapy to strengthen the hip and leg muscles.
• Use a walking stick or other aid if it helps you move more safely.
• Keep to a healthy weight to reduce strain on the hip.
• After surgery, follow your wound care instructions and your physiotherapy plan closely.

Medical treatments

Your clinician may suggest pain relief, physiotherapy, walking aids, or joint injections to help manage symptoms. They will explain the options, benefits, and risks. No single treatment works for everyone, and surgery is not always the right answer.

When is surgery considered?

Hip resurfacing may be offered when hip pain and stiffness limit walking, sleep, work, or daily activities, and non-surgical options no longer help enough. Good candidates often have strong bone and a hip shape that can support the implant. Your surgeon will discuss whether resurfacing or total hip replacement is safer for you.

Living with this condition

After surgery, you will need help at home for a few weeks. You will use crutches or a walker at first and follow your surgeon's movement precautions. Driving, work, and heavy lifting should wait until your care team says it is safe.

Lifestyle tips

• Build activity slowly and follow your physiotherapy plan.
• Low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, and cycling is often easier on the hip than running or jumping.
• Avoid smoking, as it can slow healing.
• Keep to a healthy weight to reduce long-term strain on the hip.
• Attend follow-up appointments, especially if you have a metal-on-metal implant.

Diet and exercise

Eat a balanced diet with enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D to support healing. Ask your clinician if you need supplements. Start exercise gently and increase slowly. Physiotherapy is key for getting strength and movement back.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel worried, frustrated, or low during recovery. If you feel very low or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor or a local crisis service right away. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.

Prevention

You cannot always prevent the hip arthritis that may lead to hip resurfacing. But keeping active, staying at a healthy weight, and avoiding repeated hip injuries can help protect your hip. If you are having surgery, improving your health beforehand can lower some risks.

Vaccines

No vaccine prevents hip resurfacing. Your care team may advise routine vaccines before surgery.

Screening programmes

There is no general screening test for needing hip resurfacing. After surgery, follow-up checks are important. Some people need blood tests for metal levels and imaging to check the implant.

Complications

If left untreated

• Hip arthritis that is not treated can cause worsening pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness.
• Walking may become harder, and falls may become more likely.
• Over time, you may need a more extensive operation such as a total hip replacement.

Long-term outlook

Most people who have hip resurfacing get less pain and better movement, but recovery takes months and physiotherapy matters. Hip resurfacing is not right for everyone. Serious problems are uncommon, and follow-up checks help catch issues early. Talk with your surgeon about what is realistic for you.

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