Hip Talk at Surface Hippy

Hi all,

I am a former triathlon (57yrs old). Got my McMinn hip 2 years ago and did mostly crossfit and weightlifting. As time went by the thoughts increased whether to restart triathlon again. Today was my first bike ride with a trekking bike (my road bike has to be fixed). Went overall very well and then my nightmare came true.
I crashed with full impact on my left (operated) hip. Massive shock and of course the side of my leg/hip hurts but I can move my leg in all directions without any discomfort. Hence, I guess everything is ok.

My question is: What are your perceptions and experiences with falling? Those who ride fall. I knew that and expected that but what are the risks and dangers? How solid is the hip? Can micro-damages happen? I am really worried and think of whether I want too much....

All the best,
Holger

Hi there,

I am very comfortable putting myself in the hands of the top surgeons that are frequently mentioned on this forum - Drs. Gross, Su and DeSmet. They are all excellent and I am grateful for all the work they have done in this space.

What I find more vexing though is whether to pursue CoC or, with the return of Biomet Recap, prioritize cementless fixation with a MoM device.

I have insurance that would allow me to pursue either although an international CoC procedure would be treated as out of network and consequently more expensive. 

If I am an average sized male, does CoC provide enough added benefit?

In the hands of these excellent surgeons, it appears metallosis risk is minimal. That said, all acknowledge bench wear rates for ceramic are less than metal.

If the aim is to maximize longevity (accepting the very small risk of metallosis), is ReCerf or Biomet Recap the better bet?

Thank you for sharing your insights!

I just had a BHR procedure last Friday in NYC. My surgeon (Alexander McLawhorn) told me the BHR is no longer made but they have enough stock on hand at HSS to continue to do the procedure until something new is FDA approved.

I finally had my resurfacing done on 5/8 by Dr McLawhorn at the Hospital for Special Surgery, things went very well. I was in and out of the hospital in about 9 hours. The pain is not anywhere near as bad as I had expected.  Does anyone have any advice or insight into what I can expect over
The next days and weeks? 
Thanks

There is more information, stories and comments from Vijay Bose, on Psoas tendinitis here that may help:

https://surfacehippy.info/groin-pain-and-psoas-inflammation-solutions/

What does your post op x ray look like?

Hi all. I had a left BHR in December 2024. Now 16 months out and my primary issue is not pain — it's function, though pain is present and contributes.

Specifically I cannot actively flex my hip past 65° standing, which means I still have to lift my leg into the car and struggle with anything requiring hip flexion against gravity. From a sitting position, I can only lift my leg off the ground about one inch with a ton of effort, wheras the non operated leg can get lifted a foot or more. If I lean back, I get a little more range of motion, just super painful.


Hardware is well-positioned on imaging, no loosening, no infection, metal ions normal. Small heterotopic ossification noted at the greater trochanter. Psoas tendonitis has been suggested clinically by a specialist physiotherapist, though no formal diagnosis has been made by a physician.

Had a fluoroscopically guided iliopsoas bursa injection in February 2026 that gave about 25% temporary improvement, now wearing off. 26 visits of PT with limited progress. Currently working with a specialist hip physiotherapist on a targeted program.

My original surgeon is stumped and has referred me to a colleague for a second opinion. No formal diagnosis of iliopsoas impingement has been made. Femoral nerve injury has been considered and largely ruled out — quad fires normally, knee extension normal.

Interesting finding: my PROM is 105°, I can actively flex further lying down than standing, but cap at 65° standing with pain and effort. Load-dependent restriction rather than a fixed block.

Has anyone experienced persistent hip flexion weakness and restricted AROM specifically — not just groin pain — after BHR? And has anyone had a similar presentation resolved, and how?

Any guidance appreciated.

That's a great update Blinky. It is so great that HR enables us to get back to things we love doing pain free.

Well it is close to 14 years after I got my left hip resurfaced, it has been and still is really good and still feeling great, it looks exactly the same on the X ray now as it did back then. I have put it through a fair bit of abuse over the years and has been utterly fantastic and long may it continue. This site back then helped me in so many ways it was and still is really invaluable in so many ways.

Now my right hip has finally also been done by Mr Holland. I am 6 days post op and memories of the recovery is coming flooding back to me. I was diagnosed with bilateral osteoarthritis all those years ago so knew this was coming. Personally I reckoned I had 5 years but as is often the case it gradually gets worse over time and questions start to arise when is the right time. I always said that I would not let it go as far and have to endure as much pain as I did last time. But nevertheless without a certain amount of pain it is still a tricky call to make and it was holding up well. Anyway, the decision was made easier when a little over a year ago there was a step change in pain and discomfort. I had difficulty putting on shoes and socks and a gradual worsening limp. The saying 'you know when the time is right' holds true.

So I have now had the surgery, which is all reminiscent of last time which was covered in my Story post at the time back in 8th June 2012. Things are going great so far, just taking it slow and steady and trying to fill my time in with useful things.

Hip Resurfacing Has a New Life — What This Means for You

3/23/2026  By Thomas P. Gross, MD –  Hip Resurfacing Surgeon

Hip resurfacing in the United States is entering an exciting new chapter. Beginning in June 2026, the Recap/Magnum resurfacing implant—made to the same specifications previously used by Zimmer Biomet—will once again be available. It took more than a year and a half to purchase the design rights, but manufacturing has now restarted, and implants should arrive in Columbia, SC early this summer.

This comes at the perfect time, as the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) implant made by Smith & Nephew is being phased out. Once our center, Midlands Orthopaedics, has several months of supply, these new Recap/Magnum implants and updated instruments will become available to other surgeons across the U.S. Our goal is simple:

We want to keep hip resurfacing available to patients everywhere—not just at our center.

I do not receive royalties for this implant. 

Read more Here:  https://surfacehippy.info/hip-resurfacing-has-a-new-life-with-the-recap-magnum-by-dr-gross-2026/