Unique Alternative to Total Hip Replacement June 8, 2006

Tampa, FL (June, 2006) – Dr. Stephen Raterman of the Florida Medical Clinic is among the first surgeons in this country who have been trained in England to perform the remarkable new Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) technique. The Birmingham Hip’s bone-conserving approach preserves more of the patient’s natural bone structures and stability.

Rather than replacing the entire hip joint, as in a total hip replacement, hip resurfacing simply shaves a few centimeters of the bone within the joint and then covers the joint’s surfaces with an all-metal implant which closely resembles a metal crown over a tooth. The Birmingham Hip implant is an all-metal ball and socket joint where traditional hip replacements use a metal ball and a plastic socket, which wears down over time and is the leading cause of most follow-up surgeries. The all-metal hip replacements reduce joint wear by 97 percent.

This approach reduces the post-operative risks of dislocation and inaccurate leg length. The BHR implant is intended for patients suffering from hip pain due to osteoarthritis, or degenerative hip disease, 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 physically active lives.