With over
43 million Americans suffering from arthritis, hip replacement is becoming a
common procedure. But a new alternative to traditional hip replacement, called
hip resurfacing, is on the rise due to the bone conserving nature of the
procedure, minimized risk of dislocation and potential benefits related to
post-operative activities and increased range of motion.
Introduced internationally in 1997, Cormet Hip Resurfacing technology has
recently been approved and released by the FDA for use in the United States. In
this innovative process, the end of the thigh bone, or femur, is capped with a
metal covering, much like the capping of a tooth and fits neatly into a metal
cup that sits in the hip socket. Should the device need replacing at some time
in the future, a conventional total hip replacement can typically be used,
making it an attractive option for younger and more active osteoarthritis
patients.
