Metal on metal total hip resurfacing has recently gained
tremendous popularity as another method of performing hip replacements.
Metal-on-metal resurfacing in general involves a one-piece acetabular cup that
is similar to what is used in total hip replacement and a femoral cap. The
resurfacing femoral component is applied to the top of the femoral head with a
minimum loss of bone. Some patients with extra-articular bony deformities of the
proximal femur or retained hardware in the proximal femur will end up needing a
hip replacement. These extra-articular deformities and obstructive pieces of
metal in the proximal femur may make a standard total hip replacement very
difficult. They will necessitate in the first case (deformity) various
osteotomies (extensive surgical procedures where sequential cuts are made to the
bone) in addition to the hip replacement and in a second case removal of
retained hardware, which in some cases can be technically difficult. By
utilizing a resurfacing hip arthroplasty, which just caps the proximal femur,
dealing with the deformity or retained hardware can be
avoided.