BIRMINGHAM HIP™ Resurfacing
North Memorial is one of few Minnesota hospitals to offer certain patients a unique alternative to total hip replacement: BIRMINGHAM HIP ™ Resurfacing (BHR). Recently FDA approved in the United States, BHR has long been popular overseas. Rather than replace the entire hip joint, the BHR technique shaves and caps a few centimeters of bone within the joint, thus conserving more of the natural bone structures and stability.
The all-metal implant more closely resembles a tooth cap than a hip implant. The approach reduces the post-operative risks of dislocation and inaccurate leg length and has the potential to last longer than traditional hip replacements.
Moreover, recovery time tends to be reduced with BHR. Following traditional hip replacement, patients will gain their mobility back in about six to eight weeks. While individual results can vary, BHR typically offers functional results notably faster.
The BHR procedure is intended for patients suffering from hip pain due to conditions such as osteoarthritis or dysplasia, 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 is ideal for patients under age 60 who live non-sedentary lifestyles.
For more information, please contact the office of one of the following physicians who is trained to perform the BHR procedure at North Memorial:
Brian O'Neill, MD
Northwest Orthopedic Surgeons
3366 Oakdale Ave. N. Suite 103, Robbinsdale
Phone (763) 520-7870
Smith & Nephew, the makers of the Birmingham Hip Implant System, also offer a wealth of great information at www.hipresurfacing.com
™ A trademark of Smith & Nephew
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