Hip Resurfacing Championed as an Alternative to Total Hip Replacement

Resurfacing will be the fastest-growing segment of the large-joint reconstructive implant market through 2013, according to a new report by the Millennium Research Group (MRG; Toronto, ON, Canada), a medical technology market intelligence and strategic information company.

According to the report, only two hip resurfacing products, the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System, a product of Smith & Nephew (Hull, United Kingdom; www.smith-nephew.com), and the Cormet Hip Resurfacing system, a product of the Corin Group (Cirencester, United Kingdom), have been approved in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however, a number of competing resurfacing products from other orthopedic companies are expected to hit the market over the next five years. These product launches will be accompanied by increased surgeon training on total hip resurfacing procedure techniques, improving both awareness and availability of this surgical treatment. MRG expects this market to rise at a compound annual growth rate of over 25%.

"Earlier intervention with regard to large-joint pain and the growing patient awareness of reconstructive implant treatment options are fueling growth in the total hip resurfacing market," said Kevin Flewwelling, manager of the orthopedics division at MRG. "Total hip resurfacing offers greater range of motion and bone preservation compared to primary total hip arthroplasty, making it more suitable for active patients who are likely to outlive their first implant. Because of its bone-preserving characteristics, hip resurfacing eases a revision procedure should one become necessary."

Accompanying the trend of joint replacement in younger patients, according to the report, is growing preference for implant materials that are more wear resistant. Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) implants with metal-on-metal (MOM) or ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) bearing surfaces have lower rates of friction compared to traditional metal-on-polyethylene bearings, making these implants most suitable for younger patients, for whom longer-lasting implants are necessary. In particular, new MOM large-diameter femoral heads are gaining popularity, because the implants improve hip range of motion and stability and reduce the occurrence of revision surgery due to dislocation. Due to these benefits, it has been suggested that large-diameter MOM femoral heads are a good alternative to hip resurfacing. MRG forecasts that the continued development of these components will somewhat limit growth in the resurfacing market but, at the same time, will lead to further penetration of MOM bearing surface materials.

Related Links:
Millennium Research Group
Smith & Nephew
Corin Group