Articles by Dr. David J. King

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

July 25, 2008

Related to: Hip, Surgical Procedures, Birmingham Hip Resurfacing

 Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) is a procedure to treat hip arthritis in young, active patients.  Although traditional total hip replacement (THA) is an extremely effective procedure, questions remain about it’s longevity.  

Metal-on-metal bearing surface

Traditional THA uses a metal ball that fits into a special plastic socket, recreating the hip joint. The plastic socket has been the "weak link" in these replacements. Over time, the plastic socket wears away and can cause an inflammatory response that eat away at the bone surrounding the replacement, ultimately causing it to loosen and fail. BHR uses highly polished metal components on both the ball and socket side of the replacement. This is referred to as a metal-on-metal bearing surface and is extremely resistant to wearing away or creating particles like traditional THA.

Bone conservation

 A major advantage of BHR is conservation of bone during the replacement. The femoral head is shaped with a series of reamers to accept the metal head. In THA, the femoral neck and head are removed to allow a metal implant to be placed into the bone of the proximal femur.  

Although BHR is designed for longevity, theoretical problems may arise necessitating revision of the replacement.  Bone conserved during BHR provides numerous options for this revision surgery.  Although the skin incision and soft tissue exposure is significant and size the bone resection is minimally invasive.

 

Stability

A final major advantage of BHR is stability. 

The large metal head used to cap the prepared bone provides maximum stability not available in traditional THA.

                                                                                                                                                                       

 To see total hip resurfacing (BHR) animation

To see animation, click the link above. Enter the animation window. Click hip, then procedures and the total hip resurfacing tab.

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