gms | German Medical Science

Continuous interest in bone saving procedures in hip arthroplasty led to reintroduction of resurfacing implants/techniques. Hip resurfacing arthroplasties (HRA) are performed in our clinic since 2003; we report our short term results.

Between 2/2003 and 12/2004, in 35 joints (34 patients, 22 m/13 f) HRA were performed by one surgeon. Harris-Hip-Score (HHS) was evaluated preoperatively and at Follow up (7,8 (2/23) months) postoperatively, also the radiological aspect. Age distribution (47 (44/64)) and preponderance of male gender reflect the predominance of younger, more active patients. Diagnosis was mainly degenerative and posttraumatic OA. 13 hips were type BHR, 22 type DUROM.

Operation time was longer than with conventional cementless arthroplasties (119 (88/125) min.). The HHS at FU had significantly ameliorated from 51,88 (11,7/79) to 76,9 (56,5/96,8). No patient was unsatisfied with the operation's result, 29 satisfied or very satisfied. Radiological result was regular in all cases; CCD-angle was slightly valgus. No major complications, but one acetabular loosening occurred. All patients had full weight bearing from day 1; hospitalization was less than 10 days.

Preliminary experience with HRA reveals significant amelioration of HHS and good or excellent clinical results in 83 %. Complication profile compares to conventional procedures. Even in mind of tribology and debris discussions, besides good clinical performance it presently is the most bone saving alloarthroplastic procedure on the hip. We offer this method especially younger patients with higher level of activity. Medium- and long term-results are necessary to prove late results of this promising technique.