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Hip Resurfacing Patients: From Excruciating Pain to Full Activity

In this innovative procedure, the surgeon shapes an arthritic or damaged joint and then covers both sides with metal prosthetic implants

Hip resurfacing surgery was introduced in the United States in 2006. Today, the results are extremely positive.

William Hozack, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, has performed hip resurfacing on some 50 patients. Many of them are raving about the results – and are relieved to be free of pain.

“No pain, no limp, no complaints,” says Anthony DiSalvo, 49, of Deptford, NJ, who previously considered traveling to Europe where the surgery had been approved. His hip was resurfaced in May 2007 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

“I can’t put into words how good I feel,” gushes Michael Neal of Conshohocken, PA, who, at 37, is Dr. Hozack’s youngest hip resurfacing patient.

“I’m ecstatic and extremely happy,” says Dan Strittmatter of Vineland, NJ, age 49. He says he had been reduced to walking like Quasimoto before his hip resurfacing surgery in June of last year.

In the fall of 2006, hip resurfacing was made somewhat famous when embattled Tour de France winner Floyd Landis underwent the procedure. Like Dr. Hozack’s patients, he returned to full activity, even competing in (and almost winning) amateur bike races.

As Dr. Hozack explains, “For the right patient – especially a younger person – hip resurfacing is a tremendous advancement because it restores full hip functioning while preserving as much of the bone area as possible. Plus we are able to maintain a more anatomic ball and socket joint with resurfacing.” 

A traditional hip replacement removes more bone material and is not anatomic in nature. Nationwide, approximately 300,000 patients undergo traditional hip replacement surgery.

Understanding the procedure
In hip resurfacing, the surgeon shapes the patient’s arthritic or damaged joint and then covers or “surfaces” both sides of the joint with metal prosthetic implants, Dr. Hozack explains. 

“The one side – the end of the leg (femur) bone – is capped, somewhat like a tooth. The other side, which is the hip socket, is cupped with an implant,” he says. “This process preserves bone stock should a revision ever be needed.”

Dr. Hozack says that when the FDA approved hip resurfacing in 2006, the procedure was intended for patients who are relatively young and are extremely active.

“While traditional hip replacements have been very effective, the hip resurfacing procedure certainly is an attractive alternative in this patient population,” he notes. In fact, this accurately described his patients, whose average age is 40.

Patients generally experience physical therapy for one to three months after surgery, which for many is just a different approach to daily exercise workouts.

Resuming an active lifestyle
Mr. Strittmatter underwent hip resurfacing in June 2007 and was finishing physical therapy in mid-August. On Christmas 2005, he experienced severe sciatic attacks in his back, followed by hip pain that went misdiagnosed. After visiting doctors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, he discovered that Dr. Hozack at Jefferson had begun hip resurfacing. 

“I wanted to avoid hip replacement but was becoming desperate for relief,” says the construction worker who holds a third-degree black belt. “Now I’m walking normally, cycling and feeling no pain… I mean none!”

Dr. Hozack says the team at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson continues working on newer versions of the resurfacing products to further enhance longevity and simplify the surgical technique.

For an appointment, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW
To make an appointment with a Jefferson physician, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW. We’ll help you choose the doctor that’s right for you, based on types of medical insurance accepted, location, and any other factors that are important to you.