Failed hip resurfacing. Coloured X-ray of failed hip resurfacing in the pelvis of a 65 year old woman. Hip resurfacing is where just the top of the femoral head and the socket of the pelvis bone is replaced with metal parts (grey) that act as a new joint. In this patient, however, a periprosthetic fracture (a fracture around a joint prosthesis) has occurred in the neck of the femur, resulting in slippage of the metal pin (grey projection to the left). The pin should point down towards the bottom left corner of the picture, but instead makes a 90 degree angle with the femur. This complication often requires further surgery.