ere's good news for those suffering from hip arthritis and hip infections!

A new hip resurfacing technique helps young patients lead a better life by restoring normal limb movements.

What it is called: Surface Replacement Arthoplasty or Hip Resurfacing (the bone conserving hip replacement).

Who is it for? Leading orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kaushal Mohan of Wockhardt Orthpaedic Centre says it is a boon for young patients who would have otherwise remained crippled for life.

The patient complains of pain and restriction of movement.

The diseased hip joint may need to be replaced with an artificial joint when it gets irreversibly damaged.

What SRA does: It allows surgeons to replace the diseased human hip with artificial implants, ensuring near normal movements and functions, say leading orthopaedic surgeons.

"The bone conserving hip resurfacing involves replacing only the diseased bone," says Dr Mohan.

Materials used for the hip replacement include molybdenum-chromium-cobalt alloy and special stainless steel. 

The purpose of the surgery:

• To increase the longevity of the affected area
• Reduce the complication rate
• Improve functions, assuring the patients near normal lifestyle (especially Indian lifestyle including squatting), they said.

When does hip arthritis occur? Hip arthritis is generally seen in younger patients in India.

"A large number of hip replacement operations are done on younger patients, hence the relevance of a surgery that preserves the bone," say surgeons.

"In India," says Dr Mohan, "the problem commonly occurs secondary to conditions like avascular necrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, infection, childhood hip problems and injury, which are generally seen in a younger age group."

The advantages of SRA:

1. Dr Sanjay Agarwala, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, says, unlike conventional hip replacements, patients enjoy a normal range of movement and can maintain a very active, sporty lifestyle and sit on the floor without the risk of dislocation.

Dr Mohan claims patients have gone back to sports like Judo and squash after this operation.

2. The advanced metal-on-metal articulation in these joints promises longer survival even in very young and active
patients.

It also prevents problems associated with plastic debris seen with conventional implants.

3. Dr Agarwala says: "With less metal inside the body, chances of infection are reduced. Rehabilitation is faster and better with reduced hospital stay."

Dr S Pispati, Jaslok Hospital, says, "Women patients are especially happy with the procedure -- they can now do all the family chores they were not able to perform before."

What the surgery will cost you: The cost of the procedure is around Rs 1 lakh, including hospital charges.

About 400 SRA procedures have been carried out in India over the last three years. This procedure is very popular in the West. And results for SRA over the last eight years have been good.