Having Hip Resurfacing

Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement surgery. You may need it to replace a damaged hip joint. The procedure is done by an orthopedic surgeon. This is a doctor with special training in treating bone, joint, and muscle problems.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. This also includes:

• Over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen
• Vitamins
• Herbs
• Other supplements

And tell your doctor if you:

• Have had any recent changes in your health. Examples are an infection or fever.
• Are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or local or general anesthesia.
• Are pregnant or think you may be.

You may need imaging tests before your surgery. These may include a CT scan, ultrasound, X-rays, or MRI scan. You may have other tests, such as blood tests. Your doctor will tell you more about these tests.

Talk with your doctor about how to get ready for your surgery. You may need to stop taking medicines, such as blood thinners and aspirin, before the procedure. If you smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products, stop before your surgery. These activities can slow healing. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop.

Also make sure to:

• Ask a family member or friend to take you home from the hospital.
• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery.
• Follow all other instructions from your doctor.

You will be asked to sign a consent form. This gives your surgeon permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if you have concerns or something is not clear.

You will also need to plan some changes at home to help you recover. Talk with your doctor about what to expect. You may need to:

• Go directly to a rehab facility or have rehab at home.
• Get extra help at home with bathing and dressing, making meals, or shopping.
• Make changes to your home to prevent falls and make your recovery easier. This might be a raised toilet seat, grab bars, or handrails.

Your orthopedic surgeon will work with a team of nurses and other doctors. The surgery can be done in several ways. This surgery may be done in one cut (open surgery). Or it may be done with one or a few smaller cuts (minimally invasive). Ask your doctor about the details of your surgery. The surgery may take several hours. In general, you can expect the following:

• You will likely have general anesthesia. This is a medicine that allows you to comfortably sleep through the surgery. You will not be awake and won't feel any pain during the surgery. Or, you may have medicine to numb the area (regional anesthesia). And you may have medicine to help you relax and sleep (sedation) through the surgery.
• After cleaning the skin, the surgeon makes a cut (incision) through the skin and muscles near the hip.
• The surgeon takes the femoral head out of the joint socket. They trim the head with special tools. A metal cap is cemented over the head.
• The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the joint socket.
• The surgeon places a metal cup into the socket.
• The surgeon places the femoral head back in the socket.
• The surgeon closes the layers of muscle and skin with stitches or staples.
• A doctor will watch your heart rate, breathing, oxygen level, and blood pressure during the surgery.
• You may be given antibiotics during and after the surgery. This is to help prevent infection.

Talk with your surgeon about what you can expect after your surgery. You will likely have X-rays taken of your hip before you leave the hospital. This is to check the repair.

You will likely have some pain after the surgery. Your doctor will tell you what pain medicine you can take. You can also use ice packs to help ease pain and swelling. You might have some fluid draining from your incision. This is normal.

You will get instructions about how you can move your hip and leg. You may need to use crutches, a cane, or walker for a few days or weeks.

Follow all your doctor's instructions. You may need to:

• Take prescription medicine to prevent blood clots.
• Not take some medicines for pain that may delay bone healing.
• Eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D to help with bone healing.

Keep all your follow-up appointments. You may need to have your stitches or staples removed a week or so after your surgery.

You may have physical therapy. This is to improve the strength and movement of your leg. It improves your chances of a full recovery. The therapy may include treatments and exercises. You will likely be able to return to some of your normal activities within 6 weeks after the surgery.

You may need another hip surgery 10 to 20 years after your first hip surgery. You can help delay the follow-up surgery by doing regular exercise and preventing falls.

Contact your doctor or get medical care right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• Chills
• Calf pain or swelling
• Redness, swelling, or fluid leaking from your incision that gets worse
• Pain in your hip or leg that gets worse