Resection arthroplasty of the hip is a salvage operation for failed hip replacements that for some reason cannot be revised. It was developed by a man by the name of Girdlestone and is frequently referred to as the “Girdlestone Procedure”. It was originally used over 50 years ago as an operation to treat severe arthritis of the hip by removing the entire ball portion of the upper end of the femur.

This essentially removes the hip joint and allows the femur to shorten. Scar tissue develops between the upper end of the femur and the pelvis bone and allows motion with minimal pain. The leg, however, is quite short and weak and usually patients require at least a cane and often two crutches to walk. The older the patient, the more difficult it is to walk with a resection arthroplasty.