This operation is primarily intended for use in people who are in need of a hip replacement at a younger age. There are certain causes of arthritis of the hip which mean that this technique cannot be used – namely those which have resulted in extreme deformity of either the head of the femur or the acetabulum.

For people needing a replacement under the age of 55, regular consideration is given for this procedure. People aged between 55 and 65 who are very active and otherwise fit may also be suitable and this will be determined by their bone quality. The procedure may be considered for people over the age of 65, however, this would need to be discussed and a decision reached in a more interrogative way because a conventional type of hip replacement in somebody of this age group stands an extremely good chance of lasting them the rest of their lives.

Patients who need to have a hip replacements under the age of 50 – 55, assuming they have normal life span, have a very high chance that the conventional hip replacement will wear out and need to be replaced during their lifetime – hence the resurfacing procedure offers potentially significant advantages in this group.