Bone Cysts and Hip Resurfacing

by  Dr. Rubinstein

2860 N. Broadway  Suite 202
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-327-8300
Website: http://www.hiportho.com
 

Cysts are very common in arthritic hips and can usually be seen on x-rays. Most of the time they are not a problem with resurfacing because they are small and in the part of the bone removed in milling the femoral head for a resurf. Most larger ones can be filled with a cement of bone chips and still do a good resurf. The only cysts that are problematic are those that erode the superior femoral neck weakening the bone at a critical place. This can lead to fracture with a resurf and that is an indication for a THR instead. They can usually be seen on a pre op x-ray so I can tell the patient that a resurf may not be possible and a decision can be made at surgery. In the one case I was surprised on the cyst was under a large osteophyte and was obscured on the x-ray. The patient got a big head metal-metal THR and is doing fine.