Hip Resurfacing vs. Hip Replacement: Which Is the Right Choice for You?

A total hip replacement (THR), or total hip arthroplasty, is a widely performed procedure. It involves removing the damaged or arthritic "ball" of the thigh bone (called the femoral head) and replacing it with an artificial ball and stem component. The socket part of the pelvis (acetabulum) is also resurfaced with an artificial cup. For a comprehensive patient guide to Total Hip Replacement, you can refer to information from the Orthopaedic Associates of Hartford¹

• Patient Profile: THR is typically recommended for older patients with advanced arthritis, or for those with poor bone quality.
• Key Feature: The procedure involves removing a significant portion of the femoral head and neck, making it a more extensive operation in terms of bone removal.

Hip resurfacing is a bone-conserving alternative to a traditional hip replacement. Instead of removing the entire femoral head, the surgeon reshapes it and caps it with a smooth, metal dome. The acetabulum is also resurfaced with a metal cup, similar to a THR. For a detailed explanation of hip resurfacing and who is a good candidate, resources like the Cleveland Clinic² provide a helpful overview.

• Patient Profile: Resurfacing is often considered for younger, larger-framed, and more active patients with strong, healthy bones who wish to return to high-impact activities.
• Key Feature: It preserves the majority of the patient's natural bone in the femoral head and neck, which can make future revision surgery, if needed, a less complex procedure.
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Operating in both Germany and the UK, Dr. Kristian Kley is a leading consultant orthopaedic surgeon who developed the Kley Rapid Hip procedure. This advanced, minimally invasive method for hip replacement surgery is a refinement of the Rottinger approach. 

The Kley Rapid Hip is considered one of the safest and most effective hip replacement procedures globally. It is a day-case procedure designed to be muscle-sparing and suitable for a wide range of patients.

Key benefits and outcomes of the Kley Rapid Hip include:

• Rapid recovery leaving 98% of patients to be discharged within 24 hours
• A 0% infection rate, 0% blood clot rate, and 0% hip dislocation or fracture rate
• Dr. Kley has performed over 3,000 hip procedures using this technique

The uniqueness of the method is further highlighted by Dr. Kley’s extensive experience and the practice of having two surgeons present during the procedure. You can read more about this innovative procedure on our dedicated Kley Rapid Hip page.

The choice between these procedures is complex, and research continues to evaluate their long-term outcomes. 

For a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials comparing these two approaches, you can refer to sources like PubMed³

A patient’s unique condition requires a thorough, expert-led assessment to determine the best course of action. Our lead hip surgeon, Dr. Kristian Kley, is dedicated to this philosophy. 

He has developed and refined the Kley Rapid Hip approach, and his expertise lies in assessing each patient to determine if this unique and highly effective solution is the right fit for their needs. 

Operating as a surgical team with Professor Adrian Wilson, they manage the full process together. As a team, they delve into every aspect of your condition – including your age, bone density, lifestyle, and recovery goals – to provide a truly appropriate and tailored solution.

After surgery, we provide:

• Post-operative surgeon consultation with Professor Adrian Wilson
• As required, monitoring with our surgeons
• Post-Operative routine physio appointment
• Physio protocol guide
• 2 week nurse follow-up
• 6 week consultant follow-up