Abstract
Introduction: Metal-on-metal resurfacing is a type of total hip arthroplasty that is conservative on the femoral side. It is controversial whether this procedure should be used in patients with avascular necrosis where the femoral resurfacing component is cemented on dead bone. This study analyzed the clinical and radiographic outcome of patients with avascular necrosis treated with metal-on-metal total hip resurfacing arthroplasty.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven patients (41 hips) treated with late-stage avascular necrosis of the hip with a metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthroplasty were studied. There were 27 men and 10 women who had a mean age of 40 years (range, 16 to 62 years). Patients were followed both clinically and radiographically for a minimum of two years (mean of 3 years).
Results: Overall, there were good and excellent clinical outcomes in 38 hips (93%). Fair results were found in three patients who had excessive heterotopic bone (2 hips) and persistent groin pain (1 hip). There were no cases of component loosening. Radiographic zonal analysis revealed no evidence of impending failure or progressive radiolucencies.
Discussion: Excellent short-term results were found with metal-on-metal total hip resurfacing in this difficult patient population. The authors await long-term results to see if these early excellent results are maintained.
Editorial Secretaries: Lynne C. Jones, Ph.D.* and Michael A. Mont, M.D. Address for Correspondence: *Lynne C. Jones, Ph.D., Suite 201 GSH POB, 5601 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239, USA. Email: ljones3@jhmi.edu
