What are my alternatives to knee replacement?
Compare nonsurgical knee arthritis care, injection choices, and selected surgical alternatives—with evidence, limits, and questions for your clinician.
Read the guide ↗Medically reviewed by Charles A. DeCook, MD ·
← All optionsSpecialist review
Hip resurfacing
A different implant operation. Still surgery.
Who might it suit?
For: A narrow group selected by a specialist after films and risk review.
Not for: Every hip, poor bone quality, or people with device-specific contraindications.
Limits and important cautions
Metal-related reactions and future revision are important considerations. Device approval is not evidence that resurfacing is better than total hip replacement for everyone.
What happens, how long, and what could it cost?
- What happens
- Specialist evaluation, imaging review, shared decision-making, and preparation for an operation.
- When might I notice a change?
- Recovery and rehabilitation take time; discuss milestones rather than a guaranteed recovery date.
- How long might benefit last?
- Long-term outcome and the chance of further surgery depend on the operation, implant, and patient.
- Repeat treatment
- Ask about routine follow-up and circumstances that could require revision or another operation.
- Activity and recovery
- Obtain individualized instructions for walking aids, wound care, work, driving, and rehabilitation.
- Ask for a complete estimate
- Surgeon, implant, hospital or facility, anesthesia, rehabilitation, and follow-up.
Use this as a consultation guide. A timeline is not a guarantee; the evidence and FDA sections below remain part of the decision.
THE EVIDENCE IN CONTEXT
Highly selective implant procedure
Read the 2 selected references
- Za et al.: hip resurfacing versus total hip replacement ↗
Eight trials, 844 patients. No statistically significant difference in functional scores or revision rates; fewer dislocations with resurfacing. Selected trial populations and implants limit generalization; absence of a significant difference is not proof of equivalence.
- FDA: metal-on-metal hip implants for patients ↗
Explains metal-related risks, device-specific follow-up, and revision concerns. Safety guidance does not establish superiority over total hip replacement.
FDA status
Product-specific implant approvalSpecific systems have FDA approvals and selection requirements. Approval does not make everyone a candidate.
Site summary of FDA information · reviewed September 19, 2026. Refer to current product labeling. This is not an FDA endorsement of this site.What do professional guidelines say?
ACR: No recommendation for this specific use in the ACR osteoarthritis guideline.
Will Medicare cover it?
Coverage requires medical necessity and plan review.