New hip alternative offers greater mobility

A new procedure at Nowra Private Hospital is offering people on New South Wales' South Coast an alternative to total hip replacements – and hope for more mobility.

Dr Paul Thornton-Bott performed the first hip resurfacing at the Ramsay Health Care facility, expanding the range of orthopaedic treatment options available in the region.

"Hip resurfacing can be an excellent option for more active patients, as it preserves bone and supports more natural movement of the hip joint, allowing them to comfortably run and participate in sports, even at a high level," Dr Thornton-Bott said.

Traditional hip replacement removes the femoral head and neck – the ball part of the ball-and-socket hip joint.

Hip resurfacing involves reshaping and capping the existing head and resurfacing the socket, often with ceramic parts instead of metal.

It aims to preserve more of the patient's natural anatomy, increasing stability and improving mobility and function following surgery.

"The introduction of a new, ceramic hip resurfacing means we can now offer this technology to all active patients, irrespective of sex or size," said Dr Thornton-Bott, a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons (UK) who has more than 20 years' experience in hip and knee joint replacement, hip resurfacing and trauma surgery.

Nowra Private Hospital, located 130 kilometres south of Sydney, has been serving the Shoalhaven and South Coast communities after being commissioned in 1980.

"Being able to offer this procedure locally means patients can access this specialised orthopaedic care closer to home, while maintaining high clinical standards," Dr Thornton-Bott added.

Nowra Private Hospital CEO Simon McDermott said expanding local services supported continuity of care for patients in the community and surrounding areas, meaning they do not have to travel outside the region for specialised treatment and rehabilitation.

"This strengthens access to safe, high-quality care and supports patients through their recovery closer to family and community," Mr McDermott said.

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