ReCerf is an all-ceramic (ceramic-on-ceramic) hip resurfacing implant made by MatOrtho, the world's first all-ceramic resurfacing device to gain regulatory approval. Because it has no metal bearing surface, it removes the metal-ion concerns of traditional metal-on-metal resurfacing, which means it suits both men and women, while still preserving far more of the natural femoral head than a total hip replacement. Mr Shakir Hussain offers ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing at Harborne Hospital (HCA Healthcare) in Birmingham, alongside his established hip resurfacing practice at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
ReCerf Ceramic Resurfacing at Harborne Hospital
Mr Shakir Hussain has introduced ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing at Harborne Hospital (HCA Healthcare) in Birmingham, performing the first ReCerf ceramic resurfacing to be carried out at the hospital. Hip resurfacing has been central to his practice for many years: he is one of the UK's highest-volume hip resurfacing surgeons, with more than 5,000 procedures performed across his practice, and he offers both metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing in Birmingham.
Bringing ReCerf to Harborne means patients across south and west Birmingham can now access metal-free ceramic resurfacing at a modern HCA Healthcare hospital in Harborne, in addition to Mr Hussain's clinics at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and Priory Hospital Edgbaston.
What Is ReCerf Ceramic Hip Resurfacing?
ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving alternative to total hip replacement. Hip resurfacing reshapes and caps the worn femoral head rather than removing it, so the implant sits on top of your own bone instead of replacing it. ReCerf uses a hard-wearing ceramic for both the cap and the socket, so the implant has no metal bearing surface at all.
ReCerf is made by MatOrtho, a British orthopaedic manufacturer, and is the result of more than a decade of development. It is the world's first all-ceramic hip resurfacing device to be approved by a regulatory authority: it was first approved in Australia, has since received its CE mark in Europe, and holds Breakthrough Device Designation from the United States FDA. In short, it brings the long-standing bone-preserving advantages of resurfacing together with a modern, metal-free bearing.
How Is Ceramic Resurfacing Different from Metal-on-Metal?
The bone-preserving principle is identical; what changes is the bearing material, and that single change removes the main drawback of older resurfacing implants.
- No metal ions. Traditional resurfacing used a metal-on-metal bearing, which can release tiny metal ions into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream over time. ReCerf's ceramic-on-ceramic bearing produces no metal ions.
- No metal ion monitoring. Patients with metal-on-metal implants are usually advised to have periodic blood tests to check metal ion levels. With a ceramic bearing, that monitoring is not needed.
- Suitable for men and women. Metal-on-metal resurfacing was generally offered mainly to men, because women had higher complication rates linked to metal ions and smaller bone sizes. A metal-free ceramic bearing opens resurfacing up to suitable women as well as men.
- Same bone preservation. Like all resurfacing, ReCerf keeps the femoral head and neck, which can make any future surgery more straightforward than after a total hip replacement.
Resurfacing has always had a clear appeal for active patients: it keeps your own bone. The historic catch was the metal-on-metal bearing. ReCerf keeps the bone-preserving benefit and swaps the metal bearing for ceramic, so the main reason resurfacing was limited to men no longer applies.
Who Is Suitable for Ceramic Hip Resurfacing?
Ceramic hip resurfacing is generally best suited to active patients with hip arthritis and good bone quality who want to preserve bone and return to higher-impact activity. Because ReCerf is metal-free, it can be considered for both men and women.
Not everyone is a candidate. Suitability depends on the cause and severity of your hip arthritis, the shape and quality of your bone, your age, and your activity goals. Resurfacing is less suitable where bone is soft or significantly deformed. Mr Hussain assesses every patient individually with up-to-date X-rays and recommends resurfacing only where it offers a genuine advantage over total hip replacement. If returning to sport matters to you, the article on returning to sport after hip resurfacing explains what is realistic.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
For patients considering resurfacing, the arrival of a proven ceramic option is a meaningful step. It means the bone-preserving operation that has long appealed to younger, active patients is no longer tied to a metal bearing, and is no longer effectively limited to men.
Preserving the femoral head and neck also keeps future options open: if a resurfacing ever needs to be revised, there is usually more of your own bone to work with than after a total hip replacement. As with any joint surgery, the right choice depends on the individual, which is why an assessment with Mr Hussain comes first.
Why Mr Hussain for Hip Resurfacing?
Mr Shakir Hussain is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham, one of Europe's leading specialist orthopaedic centres, where he trained in hip resurfacing under Mr Ronan Treacy, co-developer of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing. He is one of the UK's highest-volume hip resurfacing surgeons, and has carried out more than 5,000 orthopaedic procedures in total across his hip and knee practice. He is one of few surgeons in the country to offer both metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic resurfacing, selecting the most appropriate implant for each patient.
You can read more about his training and practice on the About Me page, compare the options in detail on the hip resurfacing versus total hip replacement guide, or explore hip resurfacing surgery in Birmingham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing?
ReCerf is an all-ceramic (ceramic-on-ceramic) hip resurfacing implant made by the British manufacturer MatOrtho. Instead of removing the femoral head as in a total hip replacement, the worn surface is reshaped and capped with a ceramic component, preserving more of your natural bone. ReCerf is the world's first all-ceramic hip resurfacing device to receive regulatory approval.
How is ceramic hip resurfacing different from metal-on-metal resurfacing?
Traditional resurfacing used a metal-on-metal bearing, which can release tiny metal ions and requires long-term monitoring. ReCerf uses a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing instead, so there is no metal ion release and no need for metal ion blood tests. The bone-preserving principle of resurfacing is the same; only the bearing material changes.
Is ceramic hip resurfacing suitable for women?
Yes. Metal-on-metal resurfacing was generally limited to men because women had higher complication rates linked to metal ion release and smaller bone sizes. Because ReCerf is metal-free, ceramic resurfacing can be offered to suitable women as well as men, widening who can benefit from a bone-preserving alternative to total hip replacement.
Where can I have ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing in Birmingham?
Mr Shakir Hussain offers ReCerf ceramic hip resurfacing at Harborne Hospital (HCA Healthcare) in Birmingham, and sees hip resurfacing patients across his practice at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and Priory Hospital Edgbaston. The first step is a consultation with your X-rays to confirm whether resurfacing is right for you.
Is ceramic hip resurfacing better than a total hip replacement?
Neither is universally better; they suit different patients. Resurfacing preserves more bone and can suit younger, active patients, while total hip replacement is more widely applicable. Mr Hussain recommends whichever offers the best long-term result based on your age, anatomy, bone quality, and activity goals; the fees and insurance page explains how pricing works.
Mr Shakir Hussain
Consultant Hip and Knee Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham. Specialist in hip resurfacing, hip replacement, robotic knee replacement, and complex revision surgery.