For twenty years we’ve been doing Birmingham Hip Resurfacing – and in perfectly selected patients they have done extremely well! Going forward though – the company is probably ceasing supply in 2027.

Hip resurfacing was a great idea of Derrick McMinn in the 1990’s – at that time – hip replacements used to wear out, or not really allow normal function. Birmingham’s basically solved that problem, so by 2010, represented about 10% of all joint replacements done in Australia. Ordinary hip replacements though have improved – the plastic is better, longer lasting, anterior hip replacement has reduced the dislocation rate, and maybe the shorter stems of modern hip replacements have removed thigh pain as a complication.

The number of Birminghams done in Australia in 2022 was down to 93. Ceramic on ceramic resurfacing has become more popular, at 231 in 2022. Again though, a hundred less than the previous year. I’ll be attending the AOA Annual Scientific Meeting in October, and working out my plan going forward.

Mr. David Mitchell
Orthopedic Surgeon