MiniHip: a bone conserving method of arthroplasty designed for younger athletic people to give unlimited range of motion and activity using large diameter acetabular articulation in cases where hip resurfacing is contraindicated or as a choice when the often used metal-on-metal solution is not desired due to concern for metal ion issues.  It is important to understand the importance of "large ball" hip repair which allows unrestricted range of motion and activities.  I contrast this with the (formerly) traditional THR of smaller ball designs which are prone to dislocation and thereby restrict range of motion of the joint.  Both the Birmingham-hip-resurfacing (BHR) and the Mini-hip are of "large ball" design while few other hip solutions are. 

As done for me, this mini-hip, as per Dr. Snyder of NWOA, is built from Stryker/Corin components as follows and incorporates the Direct-anterior approach with no muscles having to be cut.

The Styker component, the ADM X-3 articulating ball and cup, is a metal bone-growth cup mated with a large diameter (56mm in my case), dense cross-linked polyethylene insert that is snapped onto a smaller Co-Cr metal ball that press fits to the Corin mini-stem, a titanium bone-growth insert for the femor.  (note on photos above: first photo is of Corin mini-stem but ignore different ball and cup; second photo of Styrker ADM components but substitute Co-Cr small ball for ceramic;  third photo of exploded ADM and again substitute Co-Cr small ball for ceramic: fourth & fifth photos of ADM cup w/ psoas tendon cutouts;)

This Corin mini-stem is designed to use neck-stabilization which differs from the typical short stems that rely on metaphyseal stabilization.  The medial curve of the calcar (femoral profile) is the key to neck stabilized stem designs.

The Stryker ADM X-3 was FDA approved for use in the USA in March of 2010, and the Corin mini-stem, was FDA approved for use in the USA in April of 2010. Being so new, there is no substantiated track record established yet, as there is with the six-year history of the resurfacing technique in the US and nearly twenty years abroad.  Styrker's data shows the X-3 cross-linked poly to be superior in wear to prior polys. 

Direct-Anterior Approach (DAA) --  by this approach a natural muscle parting is utilized between the TFL and Sartorius muscles to gain access to the hip joint and no muscles are cut.  A small incision of 7cm is needed to prepare the joint and fit the minhip.  The recovery is swift.  Dr. Snyder has preferred the anterior approach for several years which is why I chose him and I understand he uses the DAA for all of his minihip surgeries.  I am very pleased and present my recovery milestones on the pages LEFT HIP and RIGHT HIP surgeries.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where I had my two minihip surgeries has a new orthopedic recovery wing.  I found large private rooms and a very positive attitude from everyone, both staff and from all of the patients happily walking around with their new joints.