The future of hip resurfacing

Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging of pseudotumors following metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

The purpose of the study was to determine the natural history of pseudotumors following metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Initial MRI was conducted at a mean of 36months postoperatively. Follow-up MRI was performed at a mean of 20months after the detection of 24 asymptomatic pseudotumors. Pseudotumor size was determined on MRI. The mean pseudotumor size changed from 729mm(2) to 877mm(2). Pseudotumors increased in size in eight and decreased in six. Ten hips showed no changes. The bigger the pseudotumor size, the more likely the size would increase. In conclusion, pseudotumors frequently change in size. A single MRI study in the clinical decision-making process should be avoided and a longitudinal study should be performed.

The biomechanical effect of notch size, notch location, and femur orientation on hip resurfacing failure

For hip resurfacing, this is the first biomechanical study to assess anterior and posterior femoral neck notching and femur flexion and extension. Forty-seven artificial femurs were implanted with the Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) using a range of notch sizes (0, 2, and 5 mm), notch locations (superior, anterior, and posterior), and femur orientations (neutral stance, flexion, and extension). Implant preparation was done using imageless computer navigation, and mechanical tests measured stiffness and strength. For notch size and location, in neutral stance the unnotched group had 1.9 times greater strength than the 5-mm superior notch group (4539 N versus 2423 N, p=0.047), and the 5-mm anterior notch group had 1.6 times greater strength than the 5-mm superior notch group, yielding a borderline statistical difference (3988 N versus 2423 N, p = 0.056). For femur orientation, in the presence of a 5-mm anterior notch, femurs in neutral stance had 2.2 times greater stiffness than femurs in 25° flexion (1542 N/mm versus 696 N/mm, p = 0.000). Similarly, in the presence of a 5-mm posterior notch, femurs in neutral stance had 2.8 times greater stiffness than femurs in 25° extension (1637 N/mm versus 575 N/mm, p = 0.000). No other statistical differences were noted. All femurs failed through the neck. The results have implications for BHR surgical techniques and recommended patient activities.

Computer navigation vs conventional mechanical jig technique in hip resurfacing arthroplasty: a meta-analysis based on 7 studies

The studies on the accuracy of femoral component in hip resurfacing arthroplasty with the help of computer-assisted navigation were not consistent. This study aims to assess at the functional outcomes after computer navigation in hip resurfacing arthroplasty by systematically reviewing and meta-analyzing the data, which were searched up to December 2011 in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, MetaMed, EBSCO HOST, and the Web site of Google scholar. Totally, 197 articles about hip resurfacing arthroplasty were collected; finally, 7 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis (520 patients with 555 hip resurfacing arthroplasty). The odds ratio for the number of outliers was 0.155 (95% confidence interval, 0.048-0.498; P < .003). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the computer-assisted navigation system makes the femoral component positioning in hip resurfacing arthroplasty easier and more precise.