New Solution for Active People Who Suffer From Hip Pain

Hip Resurfacing Techniques Offer Alternative to Total Hip Replacement

Chicago, February 21, 2007—Baby boomers with hip pain who want to stay active in their later decades now have an alternative to hip replacement surgery without its inherent limitations. A new surgical option, called hip resurfacing, is offered to middle age people who have osteoarthritis in the hip and want to return to activities, such as biking, golf, hiking, skiing, swimming, fishing and tennis, that have been curtailed because of the pain.

Mitchell Sheinkop, M.D., Director of Joint Replacement at the Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago (Institute) has been using the procedure longer than most physicians in the country. He is presently the only physician using an intra-operative navigating technique in combination with the hip resurfacing procedures, which allows a surgeon better accuracy in placing the prosthesis in conjunction with a minimally invasive incision.

"Hip resurfacing is the ideal solution for many 40-, 50- and 60-year-old active patients who suffer from hip pain, he says. "As patients are staying physically active much later in life, this procedure is an excellent substitute for total hip replacement because it accommodates their age and lifestyle, without restrictions of standard arthroplasty."

The procedure, which involves reshaping the head of the femur (bone in the upper leg) and capping it with a smooth metal ball, rather than sacrificing the bone, has a quicker recovery time than total hip replacement where the worn bone is cut away, a metal stem is placed inside the femur and the hip socket is replaced.

"A good analogy for hip resurfacing is the dentist who removes the cavity and caps the tooth," says Dr. Sheinkop. "Replacement would be removing the tooth and implanting the prosthesis. It involves more pain, a longer recuperation time and more follow-up visits."

The British-designed Birmingham Hip ResurfacingT System, was approved by the FDA for the U.S. market in March of 2006. NOHC is one of a few centers in the country and two in the Midwest to offer both the Birmingham system as well as the new investigational Biomet Recap® Total Hip Resurfacing System, the latter of which is under clinical study and expected to receive FDA approval sometime this year.

Dr. Sheinkop admits the parts involved in any hip implant procedure will eventually wear out and if a patient is getting a hip resurfacing at age 52, it is likely that by the time the patient turns 75, he may need another procedure. Resurfacing the hip, however, allows surgeons the ability to perform a subsequent primary hip replacement procedure rather than a revision total hip replacement.

Hip resurfacing is intended for patients suffering from hip pain due to osteoarthritis, dysplasia or avascular necrosis. Most surgeons feel it will be ideal for patients under age 65 who live active lifestyles. More than 400,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States annually according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. The resurfacing alternative offers the promise of a joint that my hold up even better than hip replacement to the active lifestyles of today's baby boomers without restriction.

• View an educational hip video by Mitchell Sheinkop, MD
• View a hip resurfacing Q&A session by Mitchell Sheinkop, MD

The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago is the country's first freestanding acute care hospital dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services. It utilizes breakthrough technology and minimally invasive techniques as well as advanced procedures for neurosurgery, orthopedics, pain management, neuro-oncology, sports medicine, and rehabilitation.