Hip Resurfacing

How I Do It (click here to open new window)

The really important difference between THR (Total Hip Replacement) and Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) is that the latter preserves your own bone, rather than amputating the head and neck of the femur which is necessary for THR. Compare the picture on the left (model of a THR) with the one on the right (a hip resurfacing).

BHR restores the hip to near the patient's original anatomy, reducing the risk of some of the problems associated with THR e.g. leg lengthening and dislocation. Patients who have had a THR on one side and a BHR on the other, usually report that the BHR feels stronger and more natural.

Patients' who have had congenital hip dysplasia(CDH), Perthe's disease of the hip and avascular necrosis (AVN) are special cases. Mr Bloomfield will advise if it is still possible to resurface you.

Metal-on metal hip resurfacing also has a very low wear rate, which should reduce or eliminate the problem of aseptic loosening [see the section on Total Hip Replacement for more if this is unfamiliar]

By March 2008, Mr Bloomfield had performed more than 750 Hip Resurfacings.

Shown above are example X-rays before and after hip resurfacing in a 48yr old male as performed by Mr Bloomfield

Click here for a gallery of unusual or difficult hip resurfacing