Dr. Gross: Hip Resurfacing Has a New Life - What This Means for You

Thomas P. Gross, MD
Hip Resurfacing Surgeon
3/23/2026

Hip resurfacing in the United States is entering an exciting new chapter. Beginning in June 2026, the Recap/Magnum resurfacing implant-made to the same specifications previously used by Zimmer Biomet-will once again be available. It took more than a year and a half to purchase the design rights, but manufacturing has now restarted, and implants should arrive in Columbia, SC early this summer.

This comes at the perfect time, as the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) implant made by Smith & Nephew is being phased out. Once our center, Midlands Orthopaedics, has several months of supply, these new Recap/Magnum implants and updated instruments will become available to other surgeons across the U.S. Our goal is simple:

We want to keep hip resurfacing available to patients everywhere-not just at our center. I do not receive royalties for this implant.

Why This Matters

The BHR has been the most widely used resurfacing implant worldwide and the only implant with an FDA-approved indication for hip resurfacing in the U.S. in 2025. It has an excellent long-term record when used by experienced surgeons. However:

• Smith & Nephew stopped producing the implant because sales dropped from $100 million per year to $9 million.
• The company has not produced smaller sizes (<48 mm) for years, making it impossible to use in women and smaller men.
• It uses cement on the femoral side, which increases failure risk in patients with weaker bone or osteonecrosis or other large bone defects.

While I've used the BHR successfully for men over 5'9" with strong bone, it is not ideal for all patient types.

Why the Recap/Magnum is Important

With the Recap/Magnum system, I have performed over 6,000 surgeries and published the best long-term hip resurfacing outcomes in the world, with:

• 98% implant survival at 18 years
• Excellent results in men and women

We want this implant widely used-but used well, so its excellent track record continues.

If you are a surgeon and would like access to the Recap/Magnum implant once it becomes available, please contact my secretary Evelyn Washington through my website grossortho.com. We are building a list so we can keep you updated.

Information for Patients

If you are interested in hip resurfacing with:

• The BHR while supplies last
• The Polymotion resurfacing implant (limited availability through our FDA study)
• The uncemented Recap/Magnum starting June 2026

Please visit grossortho.com and submit a consultation request.