Breaking Barriers: Addressing Gender Disparities in Hip Resurfacing Surgery Access in the United States

Second-generation large-diameter head hip resurfacing (HR) arthroplasty has gained popularity in terms of its potential for minimal wear and the preservation of proximal femoral bone stock. HR faces challenges, such as increased hip fracture rates and adverse reactions to m etal detritus, despite the fact that over one million metal-on-metal (MoM) arthroplasties have been performed globally. FDA issued warnings in 2011 and 2016 regarding higher failure rates in women and categorized MoM implants as high-risk, influencing U.S. surgeons to limit HR in women. Conversely, European and Australian registries report 6.4% to 54.4% of HR procedures are performed on women. Addressing concerns via targeted follow-ups and age-specific recommendations can help provide equitable access to advanced medical treatments. Level of evidence: V