New Alternatives to Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery is a common treatment used for severe hip arthritis. Patients should certainly try to alleviate their symptoms with simpler treatment methods, but when these are no longer effective, surgical treatment may become necessary.

The standard surgical treatment for hip arthritis is a hip replacement surgery. There have been some new advancements, and surgeons have been performing two procedures more often. These procedures may be an improvement on hip replacement, or they may prove to be not as good. The jury is still out.

• Mini-Hip Replacement
  A new technique in orthopedics is called a mini-hip replacement. This procedure uses two small incisions, and x-ray to guide the prosthesis into proper position. Some surgeons feel the mini hip replacements are not as good as standard hip replacements.

• Hip Resurfacing
  Hip resurfacing surgery is an alternative to standard hip replacements for patients with severe arthritis. In a hip resurfacing surgery, the implant is smaller, and less normal bone is removed. Hip resurfacing is gaining interest, especially in younger patients.

Related: Hip Replacement eCourse | Hip Arthritis