Hip resurfacing surgery abroad
From £8,827 at accredited European hospitals
What is hip resurfacing surgery?
Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure designed to relieve hip pain and improve mobility by preserving more of your natural bone. During hip resurfacing, the damaged surface of the hip joint is smoothed and covered with a durable metal cap, similar to placing a crown on a tooth. This allows the bones in the hip to move smoothly against each other again, reducing pain and enhancing ease of movement.
Unlike a full hip replacement, where the entire hip joint is replaced, hip resurfacing retains more of the original bone structure, making it particularly suited to younger, active patients who want to maintain higher levels of physical activity and for whom preserving bone for potential future revision surgery is an important consideration.
Through My Medical Gateway, hip resurfacing surgery is available at accredited hospitals in Romania and Spain, with packages starting from £8,827.
Who is a candidate?
Hip resurfacing is most commonly recommended for patients who:
- Are typically under 60 and physically active, with a desire to return to higher-impact activities including sport
- Have hip arthritis causing pain that has not responded to non-surgical treatment
- Have good bone quality, particularly strong femoral bone stock — the procedure relies on the integrity of the femoral head
- Are male — hip resurfacing has shown higher revision rates in women, particularly those with smaller anatomy, and is less commonly recommended for women of childbearing age due to concerns about metal ion exposure
Hip resurfacing is not suitable for patients with osteoporosis, poor bone quality, kidney problems or avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Your specialist will carry out a thorough assessment, including bone density evaluation, before confirming whether hip resurfacing is the right procedure for you.
You will not proceed to surgery without a formal consultation and your fully informed consent.
Hip resurfacing recovery timeline
(May vary with provider)
- Hospital stay: Around 3–5 days
- Early recovery: Weight-bearing is usually allowed immediately or within a few days
- Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy to strengthen muscles and restore range of motion
- Return to daily activities: approximately 6–12 weeks
- Return to sport/high activity: Often possible after 6–12 months, depending on progress.
What is included in a My Medical Gateway Treatment Package?
Treatment Packages include:
- Pre-operative assessment and consultations with your specialist
- The surgical procedure, including all implant components and surgical equipment
- Hospital accommodation for the duration of your inpatient stay, typically 3 to 5 nights
- Nursing care and initial in-hospital physiotherapy
- Post-operative follow-up with your surgical team.
Flights and accommodation in the destination country are not included in the prices shown.
Benefits of hip resurfacing
- Preserves more of the patient’s natural bone compared to total hip replacement
- Lower risk of dislocation (larger femoral head size)
- May allow higher activity levels and return to impact sports
- Easier conversion to total hip replacement if revision is needed later
Available at accredited hospitals in Romania and Spain through My Medical Gateway, at significantly lower cost than UK private surgery.
Risks of hip resurfacing
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding and blood clots
- Implant-related risks: loosening or wear of the metal components over time
- Femoral neck fracture: a rare but specific risk associated with resurfacing, where the remaining femoral neck may fracture after surgery
- Metal ion release: hip resurfacing uses metal-on-metal components, which can release small amounts of metal ions into the bloodstream. In most patients this causes no problems, but monitoring of metal ion levels may be recommended after surgery
- Nerve or blood vessel injury, which is uncommon
- Revision surgery: if the resurfacing fails, revision to a total hip replacement is typically required
Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will assess your individual risk profile during your consultation and will ensure you can give fully informed consent before any treatment takes place. This page provides a general overview only.
Accredited Hospitals for hip resurfacing surgery
Our specialist surgeons
Every hip resurfacing procedure through My Medical Gateway is performed by a named, qualified specialist orthopaedic surgeon at your chosen accredited hospital. All surgeons practise within nationally regulated healthcare systems and are credentialled in their field.
We will introduce you to the specific surgeon who will be performing your procedure as part of the pre-operative consultation process. If you would like to know more about the surgical team at a specific hospital before enquiring, our UK-based team is happy to provide further detail.
Why choose My Medical Gateway?
My Medical Gateway is not a comparison site. We work with a carefully selected group of accredited European hospitals chosen for clinical quality, safety and proven outcomes. All four hospitals offering hip resurfacing have been assessed for clinical and quality standards before being made available to patients.
Hip resurfacing is a more specialist procedure than standard total hip replacement, and patient selection is critical to a good outcome. Our team will help ensure you are assessed by a specialist with specific experience in hip resurfacing before any decision is made. When you enquire, you will speak with a member of our UK-based team who will guide you through your options and support you throughout your journey.
Pricing table
| Hospital | Location | UK Private Cost | MMG Treatment Package | % Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monza Hospital | Bucharest, Romania | £12,257 | £8,827 | 28% |
| Hospital Universitario HM Madrid Río | Madrid, Spain | £12,257 | £9,911 | 19% |
| Hospital HM Modelo | A Coruña, Spain | £12,257 | £9,911 | 19% |
| Hospital HM Málaga | Málaga, Spain | £12,257 | £10,871 | 11% |
Monza Hospital
Bucharest, Romania
Hospital Universitario HM Madrid Río
Madrid, Spain
Hospital HM Modelo
A Coruña, Spain
Hospital HM Málaga
Málaga, Spain
Frequently Asked Questions
In total hip replacement, both the ball (femoral head) and socket of the hip joint are removed and replaced with artificial components. In hip resurfacing, the femoral head is retained and reshaped, then capped with a metal component, while the socket is lined with a metal cup. Hip resurfacing preserves more natural bone, which can make future revision surgery more straightforward and may allow higher activity levels. It is most suitable for younger, active patients with good bone quality. Total hip replacement is more widely used and appropriate across a broader range of patients and ages.
Yes, and this is an important question to raise with your surgeon. Hip resurfacing uses metal-on-metal components, which can release small amounts of cobalt and chromium ions into the bloodstream as the components wear against each other. In most patients this does not cause clinical problems, but certain implant designs have been subject to MHRA alerts and recall in the past due to higher than expected revision rates and elevated metal ion levels in some patients. Current guidance recommends regular monitoring of metal ion levels in patients with hip resurfacing implants. Your specialist will discuss the specific implant being recommended, its safety record and what monitoring would be required after surgery.
When performed in well-selected patients, hip resurfacing implants can last 15 to 20 years or more. Outcomes are generally best in younger male patients with good bone quality and no significant osteoporosis. Long-term data from national joint registries suggests that hip resurfacing has higher revision rates than total hip replacement in some patient groups, particularly women and those with smaller implant sizes. Your surgeon will discuss expected implant longevity based on your specific anatomy and activity level.
Yes, though hip resurfacing is less commonly recommended for women than for men. Data from national joint registries shows higher revision rates in women, particularly those with smaller anatomy and smaller implant sizes. There are also specific considerations for women of childbearing age relating to potential metal ion exposure during pregnancy. Hip resurfacing is not automatically unsuitable for women, but the decision requires a detailed discussion with a specialist who can weigh the benefits and risks for your individual circumstances.
Hip resurfacing typically takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours under general or spinal anaesthetic, though the exact duration varies depending on the patient's anatomy and the surgeon's specific technique.
All hip resurfacing procedures through My Medical Gateway are performed by named, specialist orthopaedic surgeons practising within nationally regulated healthcare environments. Hip resurfacing is a technically demanding procedure and patient selection is critical. You are encouraged to ask your chosen hospital to introduce you to the surgeon performing your procedure during your pre-operative consultation. You can enquire about their specific experience with hip resurfacing, including the number of procedures they have performed and the implant systems they use. Your Accredited Hospital will not proceed with any treatment without your fully informed consent.