Abstract
The Birmingham hip resurfacing (Smith & Nephew, Tennessee) (BHR) has been used in younger more active patients.
Aim
We report on our experience of 206 BHR procedures in patients aged 50 years or less with a minimum ten year follow-up. Clinical outcome scores, body mass index (BMI), gender and age were analysed to investigate resurfacing outcomes.
Methods
200 patients (158 males and 42 females) with an average operation age of 43.33 years (SD ±5.66) were investigated. There were 6 bilateral procedures The mean follow-up period was 12.44 years (SD ±1.71). The arthroplasties were completed between April 1999 and December 2002 by one surgeon. Data and outcome measurements were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. We evaluated Harris Hip Scores, Short Form-36 (SF-36v2) Scores, Tegner Activity Score Scores and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Scores (WOMAC) comparatively at preoperative, six month and yearly intervals.
Results
In 1 patient the implant was in situ at the time of death. Revision was carried out in 5 hips (2.4%) at a mean time period of 3.2 years (0–8) post-operatively. Failure was due to femoral neck fracture, acetabular loosening and avascular necrosis of the femoral head, leading to loosening. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed survivorship of 97.6%. The mean Harris Hip scores (paired t-test, p<0.05) improved significantly from 55.58 preoperatively to 91.33 at 15 years. The mean SF-36v2 physical scores (paired t-test, p<0.05) improved significantly from 32.70 preoperatively to 43.75 at 15 years. WOMAC total scores (paired t-test, p<0.05) improved significantly from 44.37 preoperatively to 14.67 at 15 years.
Conclusion
In this demanding group of patients, without any restrictions to physical activity, the results of this procedure at 10 years are most encouraging. However, concerns remain in relation to the effect of elevated metal ions, tissue sensitivities, and anatomical variations, such as hip dysplasia, which may impact on function and success.
