Ceramic hip resurfacing offers a new option for younger arthritis patients

A new ceramic hip resurfacing technique has begun in Greece for younger patients with advanced osteoarthritis, offering an alternative to total hip replacement. The HRAA, or Hip Resurfacing Anterior Approach, was first applied in the country in June 2026 by orthopedic surgeon Athanasios Koukakis and his team at Metropolitan General clinic.

The procedure treats patients aged 40 to 65 by preserving the femoral head rather than removing it. Surgeons cover the head with a modern ceramic shell, which articulates with a matching ceramic component in the hip socket. The technique is intended for active younger men and women, including those who take part in sports, usually under the age of 65.

Its stated advantages include preserving bone for a possible revision operation, avoiding the metal-ion problems associated with older metal-on-metal resurfacing implants, and enabling rapid recovery. Patients typically remain in the clinic for one to two days under fast-track mobilization protocols. The article also cites movement close to normal hip function, minimally invasive implantation, and a lower dislocation risk than total hip replacement.

The technique is not recommended for patients with advanced osteoporosis or severe hip dysplasia. Its disadvantages include the high cost of the implant and the need for specialized surgical training because of the procedure's technical difficulty. Ceramic-on-ceramic resurfacing has been used for seven years in specialized centers in the United Kingdom and Belgium, the article says, and Greece is now among the first European countries to introduce the HRAA method.