Abstract
This study reviews the short-term results of 36 hip resurfacings performed to treat avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head over a four-year period. The mean age of the 32 patients, 30 men and two women, was 41 years (25 to 50). Treatment options were discussed with patients, who usually preferred resurfacing to osteotomy, vascular fibular grafting, or total hip arthroplasty. No hips were revised, but in one patient both hips will probably be revised because of symptoms arising from anterior impingement between the femoral neck and acetabular cup rim. The other patients had no or minimal symptoms. One manual labourer and one truck driver (the patient with symptoms of impingement) have been unable to resume their previous work. Another manual labourer returned to permanent light duty. All the others resumed levels of work and sports activity comparable to their previous activities.
Resurfacing of the hip is generally advocated for young, active patients. It is therefore an option for treatment of AVN, which typically occurs in the fourth and fifth decades, most commonly in physically and economically active males.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at PO Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg 2121, South Africa.
