Alternatives to Hip Replacement
Hip resurfacing is an alternative to hip replacement surgery. It is a bone conserving procedure that places a metal cap on the femoral head instead of amputating it. There is no long stem placed down the femur so it is more like a natural hip and allows patients a full return to all activities, including marathons and triathlons, some patients have even completed Ironman and Ultraman competitions following hip resurfacing surgery. You must have good bone quality to qualify for it. It has been used over in Europe for over 17 years and the first device, the BHR or Birmingham Hip Resurfacing device was approved by the FDA on May 9, 2006.
Current alternatives also include viscosupplementation, or the injection of artificial lubricants into the joint. Some believe the future of osteoarthritis treatment is bioengineering, targeting the growth and/or repair of the damaged, arthritic joint. Centeno et al. have reported on the partial regeneration of an arthrtic human hip joint using mesenchymal stem cells in one single lucky patient. This is just entering the US and is not approved by the FDA, has not been shown in clinical trials to be effective, and costs over $7,000, which is not usually covered by insurance. There is no alternative to Health Insurance but for a next best thing a Health Savings Account can be your second choice.