A new procedure in Hip Replacement Surgery, Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR), was just approved by the FDA this past May and there are fewer than 100 surgeons trained in the United States to perform this surgery.

Scott L. Baron, M.D. and Ari E. Pressman, M.D., orthopedic surgeons with The Orthopedic Group, PC, performed the first BHR procedures in Western PA at Monongahela Valley Hospital.

“This is one of the most exciting procedures I’ve seen in years,” explains Thomas F. Brockmeyer, M.D., another orthopedic surgeon from The Orthopedic Group. “I see hip resurfacing as the ideal solution for many of my young, active patients who suffer from hip pain. As my patients are getting younger and younger, and are staying physically active much later in life, I’ve needed an alternative to total hip replacement that accommodates their age and lifestyle. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System is that alternative.”

The BHR procedure is unique in that it is designed to save more patient bone and only resurfaces or removes the diseased part of the bone and caps it.

The Birmingham Hip implant is intended for patients suffering from hip pain due to osteoarthritis, dysplasia or avascular necrosis, and for whom total hip replacement may not be appropriate due to their increased level of physical activity. For this reason, most surgeons feel it will be ideal for patients under age 60 who live non-sedentary lifestyles.

The Birmingham Hip's bone-conserving approach preserves more of the patient's stability, covering the joint's surfaces with an all-metal implant that more closely resembles a tooth cap than a hip implant. This approach reduces the post-operative risks of dislocation and inaccurate leg length, and because the all-metal implant is made from tough, smooth cobalt chrome, it has the potential to last longer than traditional hip implants.

The system has two parts: a metal cup that replaces the resurfaced area of the hip socket and a cap that covers the resurfaced ball-shaped bone (femoral head) at the top of the thigh. The cap has a small stem that is inserted into the thigh bone.

“ The resulting incision from the surgery is only six to eight inches in length,” said Brockmeyer. “ In the United States, 400,000 total hip replacements are performed every year. Analysts believe as many as 60,000 of these patients could be candidates for hip resurfacing. The surgeons at The Orthopedic Group are thrilled to be able to offer this new procedure at MVH for our patients.”

Most surgeons will tell you that after the first year, you can return to whatever physical activity you enjoyed before hip pain limited your mobility. For instance, unlike total hip replacement, you will be able to return to jogging or singles tennis after your first year after surgery. During your first year, more conservative, low-impact activities like walking, swimming and bicycling are recommended for strengthening your femoral neck and the muscles around your resurfaced joint.

For more information about this new procedure, contact
The Orthopedic Group at 724-483-4880.

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