I’m going to have my right hip resurfaced. I understand this is a way to put off having a total hip replacement for now. The surgeon tells me at my age (43 years old), this is the best route to take. How much motion can I expect to get back after the surgery?

Total hip resurfacing is one of the fastest growing orthopedic procedures today. It’s a good option for adults with osteoarthritic changes of the hip who are too young for a total hip replacement.

Instead of cutting off the head of the femur and replacing it with an artificial implant, a metal cap is placed over the bone. Special powered instruments are used to shape the bone of the femoral head.

The new metal surface fits snugly on top of the bone.The cap is placed over the smoothed head like a tooth capped by the dentist. The cap is held in place with a small peg that fits down into the bone. You must have enough healthy bone to support the cap.

The hip socket may remain unchanged, but more often it is replaced with a thin metal cup. Motion can be restored fully after healing takes place. Your chances for recovery of full hip motion are better if you have good motion before the procedure. The stiffer you are before joint resurfacing, the less likely you will get full motion back.

But studies so far do show it’s possible to regain full hip flexion, extension, abduction (movement away from the midline), and rotations. In fact, your motion will be restored by the end of six months. Most patients do not regain any more motion between six months and one year.