Birmingham Metal-on-metal total hip resurfacing (BHR) is a bone-conserving option for patients with advanced articular damage. While the outcomes of Total Hip Replacement (THR) are well documented, there is a paucity of literature comparing the patient reported outcomes of BHR versus THR. This study aims to compare the patient reported outcomes for an impact on quality of life between patients who had a BHR vs. THR after correcting for selection bias.

Patients who underwent a BHR or THR between July 2003 and December 2006 were included. Patient questionnaires included demographic details, co-morbidities, WOMAC, SF-36 Scores. In addition, a 4 point Likert scale was used to measure satisfaction post-operatively. The above data was collected pre-operatively and at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years post-operatively. Data was analysed with SPSS (version 19) software package. All analysis was adjusted for Age, gender, Co-morbidity and pre-operative score by using Multivariate regression analysis using a General Liner Model to rule out the effect of these predictors on outcomes between groups.

337 patients were included (205 for THR and 132 for BHR). BHR patients were younger than THR patients (49 vs. 67 years, p<0.01), were more likely to be male (68% vs. 42% of THR, p<0.01), reported fewer co-morbidities (1.06 vs. 1.59, p<0.01). BHR patients reported better WOMAC pain and function scores at 5 years (p<0.05). For SF-36 scores, BHR patients reported higher scores for all 8 domains at 1 year and 5 year follow up (p<0.05). BHR patients reported higher satisfaction than THR group for return to Activities of Daily Living and Recreational activities at 1 and 5 years (p<0.05)

After correction for patient variability, BHR patients reported better improvement in pain and function and enjoyed a better quality of life in relation to return to ADL and recreational activities over to 5 years post-surgery.

Introduction

Cemented stems have shown 90–100% survivorship when coupled with polyethylene acetabular component. This study aims to compare cemented stem behaviour in combination with large metal on metal (MOM) vs. metal on poly (MOP) bearings.

We aimed to identify whether patients in lower socioeconomic groups had worse function prior to total knee arthroplasty and to establish whether these patients had worse post-operative outcome following total knee arthroplasty.

Data were obtained from the Kinemax outcome study, a prospective observational study of 974 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. The study was undertaken in thirteen centres, four in the United States, six in the United Kingdom, two in Australia and one in Canada. Pre-operative data were collected within six weeks of surgery and patients were followed for two years post-operatively. Pre-operative details of the patient's demographics, socioeconomic status (education and income), height, weight and co-morbid conditions were obtained. The WOMAC and SF-36 scores were also obtained. Multivariate regression was utilised to analyse the association between socioeconomic status and the patient's pre-operative scores and post-operative outcome. During the analysis, we were able to control for variables that have previously been shown to effect pre-operative scores and post-operative outcome.

Patients with a lower income had a significantly worse pre-operative WOMAC pain (p=0.021) and function score (p=0.039) than those with higher incomes. However, income did not have a significant impact on outcome except for WOMAC Pain at 12-months (p=0.014). At all the other post-operative assessment times, there was no correlation between income and WOMAC Pain and WOMAC Function. Level of education did not correlate with pre-operative scores or with outcome at any time during follow-up. This study demonstrates that across all four countries, patients with lower incomes appear to have a greater need for total knee arthroplasty. However, level of income and educational status did not appear to affect the final outcome following total knee arthroplasty. Patients with lower incomes appear able to compensate for their worse pre-operative score and obtain similar outcomes post-operatively.