Hip resurfacing: Past, present and future

Abstract

Summary Over the last 10 years hip resurfacing has gained popularity as a surgical alternative to a total hip replacement, for the younger, active patient suffering from arthritis or similar conditions. Hip resurfacing was originally developed over 50 years ago, but was plagued with problems during the early years. By the 1980s the use of hip resurfacing had been discontinued by most surgeons, due to the high failure rate of the prosthesis from wear and tear of the polyethylene cups and aseptic loosening. The purpose of this article is to define hip resurfacing, explain what the procedure entails and to examine the potential benefits, risks and complications of the procedure. The patient's journey from joining the waiting list, through to outpatient follow-up is examined and nursing care described. As metal on metal hip resurfacing is considered to be a fairly new surgical procedure and long-term outcomes are not known, the role of the research nurse in monitoring outcomes for this patient group is also examined.