Surface replacement: A viable option for the right patient

Surface replacement of the hip was established in the 1970s as a bone preserving alternative to total hip replacement. However, problems with femoral neck fracture, osteolysis, and component loosening led to early failures and an abandonment of the procedure. The modern hip resurfacing has improved upon past results with new implant designs and materials. The benefits include the preservation of bone, lower dislocation rate, and more physiologic bone loading, factors which may lead to an ability for a higher activity level. National joint registry results find that a certain group of patients has greater survivorship with resurfacing than with total hip replacement. Therefore, we believe that surface replacement arthroplasty is a viable alternative in this subgroup of patients.