Hip resurfacing differs from a conventional total hip replacement in that the femoral head and neck are not resected to allow the insertion of a stem into the femoral medullary canal, but a metal shell caps the reamed femoral head to articulate with either an acetabular implant (full hip resurfacing) or the native acetabular cartilage (hemi-resurfacing, a procedure designed for the treatment of early stages of osteonecrosis, when the disease has not yet progressed to osteoarthritis). 

Full hip resurfacing is indicated when both sides of the hip joint must be treated. It can be performed for various diagnoses, depending on the severity of the hip disease, and as long as the femoral head and neck provide sufficient support for the femoral component. Our experience includes the following etiologies:  Osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, Developmental dysplasia, Trauma, Rheumatoid diseases, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteopetrosis, Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis, Melorheostosis. 

The bearing material of choice for full hip resurfacing is metal-on-metal because it is currently the only material allowing to manufacture thin acetabular implants (to accomodate the large femoral head) with sufficient strength to sustain the joint reaction forces associated with an active lifestyle. 

At the Joint Replacement institute, both Dr. Amstutz and Dr. Schmalzried perform hip resurfacing. 

Additional information  on hip resurfacing is available from the following links: