Hip Resurfacing: Bone Preserving Treatment (Birmingham Prosthesis/McMinn-Implant)

Dr Thomas Schneider, Orthopaedic Expert Consultant for Hip Surgery

Hip resurfacing (McMinn prosthesis) is a bone preserving procedure. Hip resurfacing has the potential to give a high degree of pain-free mobility, particularly to younger patients with severe hip arthritis, who are otherwise in good health. © Smith&Nephew

Hip resurfacing surgery or partial hip prosthesis replaces the damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint. These implants are designed to restore function to a hip joint affected by osteoarthritis.

Dentists have known for a long time that a small area of damage to a tooth is no longer a reason to replace that tooth, instead, they fill or crown the damaged area. This restorative principle has finally been applied to hip replacement surgery.

Basic anatomy of the hip joint ©Wikipedia.org

Partial hip replacements or hip resurfacing implants (McMinn prostheses) are now used to repair damaged hip joints.

There is one main benefit of hip resurfacing when compared to total hip replacement. In a total hip replacement, the femoral head (ball at the top of the femur) is always sacrificed, however with the resurfacing approach, the femur (thigh bone) is preserved.

Particularly suitable for patients with good bone structure and normal bone density, this bone-preserving approach to the hip prosthesis, replaces only the diseased parts of the hip, whilst leaving the healthy bones intact.

Hip resurfacing was established in 1994 as the Birmingham or McMinn prosthesis. Currently, 60% of patients enquiring about hip replacement surgery at the orthopaedic Gelenk-Klinik, go on to have the bone preserving, hip resurfacing surgery. In our orthopaedic hip department, hip resurfacing has become one of the standard hip surgery procedures. Since 2004, we have resurfaced hundreds of hip joints every year.

Hip Resurfacing Procedure

Hip resurfacing surgery or partial hip prosthesis replaces the damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint. These implants are designed to restore function to a hip joint affected by osteoarthritis.

The original McMinn Prosthesis of the Birmingham hip type from Smith&Nephew has been available since 1994. More than 145.000 patients have received this implant successfully. The product’s reliability and safety are unmatched by any other prosthesis. © Smith&Nephew

At the Gelenk Klinik, we only perform hip resurfacing surgery using the original Smith & Nephew implant, this implant has been proven successful in clinical studies involving a total of more than 145,000 patients since 1994. The standard of quality and reliability has not been matched by any other type of prosthesis for hip resurfacing currently available.

Hip resurfacing - surgical procedure

If the femur (thigh bone) is still stable and viable, the femur will be preserved. Only the damaged head of the femur is reshaped and crowned by an artificial (metal) femoral head.

As part of hip resurfacing, the damaged cartilage and bone are also removed from the hip socket and a new metal shell is pressed in place, to form an artificial socket. The new ball and socket components are then rejoined to form the new hip joint. Ceramic components may be used in the case of metal allergy in patients and for endurance athletes, for whom there is a high likelihood of the artificial joint wearing out over time.

Hip resurfacing for younger patients

Hip resurfacing surgery is particularly beneficial for younger patients.

Resurfacing the hip joint preserves the thigh bone (femoral head). As a result, the natural mobility and natural proprioception (position-movement sensation) of the patient are preserved. The McMinn prosthesis is well known for the fact that it feels very natural. Within just a few months following the resurfacing procedure, most patients have difficulty in determining which of their hips has been replaced by the McMinn prosthesis.

Reasons for excellent results in hip surface replacement

What are the factors contributing to excellent results in hip joint resurfacing surgery? The hip centre at the Gelenk Klinik provides expert diagnosis, including the most advanced imaging facilities in modern orthopaedics.

Surgical routine and the experience of the hip surgeon are the foundation for excellent results in hip resurfacing surgery. The quality and durability of a hip replacement are largely dependent on the skill and experience of the hip specialist. The Orthopaedic Gelenk Klink has a dedicated orthopaedic hip surgeon as head of the hip department.

Rehabilitation Following Hip Resurfacing

The patient is mobilised the day after resurfacing surgery, this is possible because hip resurfacing can be performed without cutting the femoral muscle. Five days of rehabilitation at the clinic are recommended, followed by approximately fourteen days of outpatient rehabilitation.