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Polymotion Hip Resurfacing

Accelerate your journey back to an active lifestyle with Dr. Adam Hart’s advanced surgical techniques, tailored to your individual needs for a faster, safer recovery.
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What is hip resurfacing?

Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement that is bone conserving. Whereas traditional hip replacement removes the femoral head/neck and replaces it with a stem and ball inside the bone, hip resurfacing preserves the femoral bone by placing the implant overtop of the head.

Traditional Hip Replacement

  • Removes the femoral head and neck.
  • Replaces the femoral head with a metal stem inside the femoral bone, ceramic head and a polyethylene liner in the cup.
  • The gold standard procedure for hip replacements.

Hip Resurfacing

  • Preserves the femoral head and femoral bone.
  • Places a smooth metal implant overtop of the natural femoral head that articulates within a polyethylene cup
  • Ideal for young and active patients who wish to maintain higher impact activity levels.

Traditional Hip Replacement

  • Removes the femoral head and neck entirely.
  • Replaces natural structure with a long metal stem and ball inside the bone canal.
  • The standard procedure for most degenerative hip conditions.

Hip Resurfacing

  • Preserves the femoral head and femoral bone.
  • Places a smooth metal implant overtop of the natural femoral head.
  • Ideal for active patients who wish to maintain higher impact activity levels.

What is the Polymotion Hip Resurfacing?

Traditional hip resurfacing implants employ metal-on-metal bearings which can release metal ions and lead to premature failure. The Polymotion Hip Resurfacing completely illuminates this risk by using a highly-crosslinked polyethylene cup analogous to what has become the gold standard for total hip replacements for over two decades. This transformative technology allows for all the benefits of traditional hip resurfacing without the risks of a metal-on-metal bearing. Note the Polymotion Hip Resurfacing is a new devise and consequently not yet approved by Health Canada. Dr. Hart can use the implant on appropriate candidates via an individualized special access request.

What is the Polymotion Hip Resurfacing?

Traditional hip resurfacing implants employ metal-on-metal bearings which can release metal ions and lead to premature failure. The Polymotion Hip Resurfacing completely illuminates this risk by using a highly-crosslinked polyethylene cup analogous to what has become the gold standard for total hip replacements for over two decades. This transformative technology allows for all the benefits of traditional hip resurfacing without the risks of a metal-on-metal bearing. Note the Polymotion Hip Resurfacing is a new devise and consequently not yet approved by Health Canada. Dr. Hart can use the implant on appropriate candidates via an individualized special access request.

What are the advantages of hip resurfacing?

  • Allows for larger femoral head sizes, which better mimic natural anatomy and movement
  • Preserves bone on the femoral side, making future revision surgeries easier
  • Lower risk of dislocation compared to total hip replacement (it has a larger head)
  • Patients typically report higher activity scores and better return to sport
  • Considered a less aggressive solution for younger patients needing joint replacement

Why are metal-on-metal hip resurfacings bad?

Hip resurfacing was originally introduced over two decades ago using metal-on-metal (both the cup and the head were made of cobalt-chrome). Unfortunately, many of these implants resulted in premature failure from metal ions released from the metal-on-metal bearing and have since been discontinued. This has led to the recent development of non metal-on-metal hip resurfacing implants: ceramic-on-ceramic and metal-on-polyethylene (Polymotion).

What is the advantage of Polymotion versus ceramic hip resurfacing?

Ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing is another emerging alternative to metal-on-metal resurfacing and also requires special access from Health Canada. The bearing uses ceramic on both the socket and the femoral head. One potential downside of a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing that has been well published for hip replacements is the development of vibration and squeaking. Overall, clinical outcome and registry data for ceramic-on-ceramic and Polymotion hip resurfacings are still limited.

What are the disadvantages of hip resurfacing?

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone and requires careful patient selection as well as impeccable surgical technique. In comparison to a total hip replacement, disadvantages include the possibility of femoral neck fracture, a slightly larger surgical approach and longer surgery, and the limited track record of the Polymotion and ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing implants. Generally, patients who are good candidates for hip resurfacing tend to be younger, have good bone quality and are very active. When considering hip resurfacing, Dr Hart will review the pros and cons of resurfacing versus hip replacement during your consultation so that you can make an informed decision.

What is the recovery following Polymotion Hip Resurfacing?

The recovery is very similar to that of a total hip replacement. Patients start physical therapy within a few hours of surgery and walk with a walker. A cane can be used after a week or two once patients are feeling very comfortable and typically wean off the cane by 4-6 weeks. Sports and higher-level activities are only permitted after 3 months at which point patients can ease back into sports. Long-term, there are no restrictions and patients can get back to everything they love doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our procedures, recovery process, costs, and more to help you prepare for your journey with Dr. Adam Hart’s expert care.
Traditional hip resurfacing typically uses metal components on both sides of the joint. POLYMOTION uses a metal cap over the preserved femoral head together with a highly cross-linked polyethylene cup. This avoids metal-on-metal articulation while retaining the bone-preserving benefits of hip resurfacing.
POLYMOTION Hip Resurfacing may be considered for active patients with advanced hip damage who want to preserve more of their natural femoral bone. Suitable candidates generally have good bone quality and anatomy that can safely support a resurfacing implant. Women may also be considered, but candidacy is based on individual anatomy, bone quality, health, and activity goals rather than gender alone.

POLYMOTION is a newer implant and is not currently licensed for general sale in Canada. For an appropriate patient, Dr. Hart may submit an individualized request through Health Canada’s Special Access Program. Each request is assessed independently, and access cannot be guaranteed. 

Because POLYMOTION is a relatively new resurfacing system, long-term clinical and registry data are still limited. Its full lifespan cannot yet be stated with certainty. Implant longevity may depend on factors such as patient selection, implant positioning, bone quality, activity level, and postoperative care.
Neither procedure is universally better. POLYMOTION Hip Resurfacing preserves more femoral bone and may suit certain younger, highly active patients. Total hip replacement has a longer clinical track record and remains the more appropriate option for many people. Dr. Hart will compare both procedures based on the patient’s anatomy, bone quality, lifestyle, and long-term goals
A hip resurfacing implant can generally be converted to a total hip replacement if revision becomes necessary. Because resurfacing preserves the femoral head and neck, more natural bone may remain available for the revision. However, the complexity of revision surgery depends on the reason for failure and the condition of the surrounding bone and soft tissue.
Recovery is generally similar to recovery after total hip replacement. Patients usually begin physiotherapy and assisted walking within hours of surgery. Depending on their progress, they may transition from a walker to a cane after one or two weeks and gradually stop using the cane within four to six weeks. Sports and higher-level activities may be resumed after approximately three months, subject to healing and clearance from Dr. Hart.