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Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement surgery where instead of replacing the whole joint, the top of the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (socket) of the hip joint are covered with a protective covering.
Hip resurfacing is used to treat chronic hip pain and reduced mobility caused by damage to your hip such as from arthritis.
The procedure may not be a suitable alternative to hip replacement for everyone and depends on factors like your age, general health, and bone strength. Women tend to do less well after hip resurfacing than men and, for this reason, are less likely to be offered the procedure.
Hip resurfacing may be a good option for you if you:
- Are under sixty years of age
- Have strong, healthy bones
- Are active
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private hip resurfacing treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what hip resurfacing is, what it costs, what happens during hip resurfacing and what to expect during your recovery.
A breakdown of the surgery cost for hip resurfacing
Please be aware that the following prices are a guide price. Your final price will be confirmed in writing following your consultation and any necessary diagnostic tests.
Any diagnostic tests that are carried out will incur a fee and if you see a consultant to go through your results they may also charge an extra consultation fee.
| Patient pathway | Initial consultation | Diagnostic Investigations | Main treatment | Post discharge care | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital fees | N/A | Not included | £17,213 | Included | £17,213 |
| Consultants fees from | £200 | N/A | Included | Included | £200 |
| Guide price | £17,413 | ||||
At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical examination of your hip joint. They may order scans like X-rays to assess your bones and joints, or CT or MRI scans to check the soft tissue surrounding your hip joint.
Why is this first consultation so important?
At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it's where we get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have.
It is important that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible before, during, and after your procedure, so please ask your consultant any questions you may have.
At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if hip resurfacing is a good option for you based on your history, symptoms, physical examination, and the results of your scans.
Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your surgery. If there's anything you're not sure about, or if you have any questions about how to prepare for your operation, speak to your consultant or call the hospital for advice.
Being well-prepared for your surgery will help to ease any anxiety you may have about your procedure as well as help your surgery and recovery to go more smoothly.
Before your surgery, tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have and any medication, including over-the-counter medicines you are taking.
Your consultant may tell you to stop taking some medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners before your operation. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your surgery.
You will not be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your operation.
Do I need to prepare my home for after my surgery?
You may need a walker, cane, or crutches to get around for a few days or weeks after your surgery. If possible, ask someone to help with household tasks like cooking or cleaning for at least the first few days after your operation.
Before your surgery, prepare your home to make things as easy as possible during your recovery. Some things you can do include:
- Prepare single-portion meals that can be easily heated up
- Remove items you could trip over such as low tables, magazine stands and rugs
- Keep things you use frequently like books, medications, and the TV remote control within easy reach
What lifestyle changes can I make before surgery?
Being as fit as possible before your surgery helps to reduce the risk of complications and speed up your recovery.
To ensure you are as healthy as possible before your procedure:
- If you smoke try to stop at least eight weeks before your surgery
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet
- Take regular exercise
- Avoid alcohol for a few days before and after your surgery
Hip resurfacing is normally performed under spinal anaesthetic with sedation. This means you will be awake for the procedure, but you won't be able to feel anything from the waist down. You will be given medicine to make you feel relaxed during your operation.
In some cases, you may be given a general anaesthetic which means you'll be asleep for the procedure.
Hip resurfacing normally takes between one and a half to three hours.
During the procedure:
- Your consultant makes an incision (cut) into your thigh
- Any damaged bone and cartilage is trimmed from the femoral head
- A smooth cap (normally metal) is attached to the femoral head using surgical cement
- Damaged tissue is removed from the hip socket
- A metal shell is inserted into the hip socket
- The femoral head is moved into the hip socket
- The incision is closed, and a sterile dressing applied
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room where your vital signs will be monitored for a while before being taken back to your hospital room
Recovery from surgery is different for everyone and depends on many factors such as your age, general health and what was done during your procedure.
Your consultant will be able to give you an estimated recovery timeline based on your individual circumstances.
If your consultant allows, you may be able to weight bear immediately after your surgery. You may need to use crutches, a cane, or a walker for a few weeks until you are comfortable walking by yourself.
It's normal to have some pain for a few days after your surgery. Your consultant will prescribe medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with this. Being in pain can mean that you aren't able to move as much and can slow your recovery, so take your painkillers as prescribed.
Our expert physiotherapists will give you some exercises to do at home to build muscle strength and increase your range of motion after your procedure. These exercises are an important part of your recovery so make sure you do them every day as directed.
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
You can normally expect to spend one or two nights in hospital after hip resurfacing, though this may be longer. Talk to your consultant about how many nights you will need to stay in hospital.
Will I be able to drive home?
You will not be able to drive yourself home after your surgery. Ask someone to collect you from the hospital or we can arrange a taxi if you prefer.
How soon can I go back to work?
How soon you can go back to work after hip resurfacing depends on your individual recovery and the type of job you do. On average most people return to work between six and twelve weeks after hip resurfacing. Talk to your consultant about when you can expect to return to work after your surgery.
How soon can I drive?
You should wait at least six weeks before driving after hip resurfacing. Don't start driving again until you can comfortably control your vehicle and perform an emergency stop safely.
When will I be back to normal?
Recovery from hip resurfacing is a gradual process that varies from person to person. How quickly you are back to normal depends on many factors including your age, general health, what was done during your surgery and whether there were any complications.
You can facilitate your recovery by being as healthy as possible before your operation and following your consultant's instructions carefully after your surgery.
Most people are able to resume the majority of daily activities by around six weeks after surgery. You can expect to return to full activities including sports after around twelve months.
If you are a suitable candidate for hip resurfacing the procedure can have many benefits compared to standard hip replacement surgery, including:
- Lower risk of dislocation
- Greater range of movement and improved mobility
- Easier revisions - the metal implants used in hip resurfacing and hip replacement surgery wear out or loosen over time and may need to be redone (a procedure called a revision). Because hip resurfacing removes less bone from the femur, revision surgery may be easier
- More equal leg lengths and improved walking patterns
As with all surgery, hip resurfacing carries a small risk of complications. Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications before your surgery and answer any questions you may have about your procedure. Being as well-informed as possible about what to expect from your surgery will help put your mind at rest and allow you to make an informed decision. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have before your surgery.
General risks of surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic
- Nerve damage
Possible complications specific to hip resurfacing include:
- Fracture - a small number of patients experience a fracture of the femoral head a few months after surgery. This is treated with a total hip replacement
- Adverse reaction to the metal implant - friction between the metal ball and socket implant can release metal ions into the bloodstream causing a reaction in the surrounding bone and soft tissue. If this occurs, you may need further surgery.
We answer some of your most commonly asked questions about hip resurfacing.
Is hip resurfacing better than hip replacement?
Both hip resurfacing and hip replacement have advantages and disadvantages, and which one is best for you depends on your individual circumstances and factors like your age, general health, and activity level. Talk to your consultant about which procedure is the best option for you.
Can you run after hip resurfacing?
One advantage of hip resurfacing over hip replacement is that you can expect to resume activities like sports once your recovery is complete. You can expect to wait at least a year before running after hip resurfacing. Always check with your consultant that it is safe before participating in any sports.
How long does hip resurfacing last?
How long hip resurfacing lasts varies from person to person, but on average hip resurfacing implants last between twelve and fifteen years.
At Circle Health Group we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group you can expect the highest standards of care including:
- Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standard
- A range of delicious healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about hip resurfacing, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in January 2023. Next review due January 2026.
- Hip Resurfacing, OrthoInfo
- Hip Resurfacing, Cleveland Clinic
- Hip resurfacing: history, current status, and future, PubMed
- Hip Resurfacing, Science Direct
