Doctors’ efforts to come up with a new alternative to hip replacement, especially for younger, athletic baby boomers who have worn out their joints too soon, are really commendable.
This new system called, hip resurfacing, covers damaged hip’s ball and socket with smooth metal rather than cutting away worn bone and replacing it. Interestingly, this is not for that first time that orthopedic surgeons have come up with resurfacing worn-out hips but in 70s too hip resurfacing procedure were in use. However, with the passage of time hip resurfacing procedure has been grown out to be more effective. Vindicating the same view Dr. Michael J. Anderson, an orthopedic surgeon avers, ‘Comparing today’s resurfacing with yesteryear’s is like comparing a modern car to a Model T Ford.’
However, one thing about this new modified hip resurfacing is slightly bitter and that is its higher cost, which is about 20 percent more than a standard artificial hip, adding to the $35,000 tab. However, we should not forget that this modified ‘Hip resurfacing’ has specially been meant for younger who now will not have to wait until they reach in their 60s.
Image credit: Essex hip surgeon
Via: MSNBC