Clinical, functional and radiographic long-term follow-up (7-12 years) of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing, including metal ions evaluation: a single surgeon series

Abstract

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) has been advocated as an attractive therapy for a younger, more demanding patient population with debilitating hip osteoarthritis. Controversies surrounding metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacing have, however, led to a significant decline in the popularity of the HRA. Despite this, substantial evidence supports the use of specific implants in a selected group of patients. This is a continued retrospective analysis of a single surgeon series of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR). Initial medium-term analysis was done in 2011 and published by Van der Bracht et al.13. This analysis includes a long-term follow-up of 7 to 12 years, including functional scoring (HHS, HOOS and UCLA activity score), metal ion evaluation and survival analysis. Failure was defined as revision for any cause. A total of 267 resurfacing procedures with the BHR were included in 247 patients. We had a mean follow-up of 8.3 years. Overall survival at ten years was 94.8%(97.2% for males and 90.1% for females). There was a statistically significant increase in mean HHS score at follow-up (56.03 - IQR 47-65 to 96.07 - IQR 96-100). Elevated metal ions were correlated with a statistically significant increase in the probability of complications. This cohort study further proved that hip resurfacing arthroplasty with the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing implant provides a good alternative to conventional total hip arthroplasty in young patients. There was a significant increase in functional scores at follow-up. There is further evidence of less favorable outcomes in female patients.