Abstract
Introduction: Hip resurfacing has undergone a resurgence of interest in the past 5 years. This has required the acquistion of new surgical principles and techniques. Allowing us to study the learning curve associated with acquiring these skills.
Methods: The first 50 hip resurfacings and the second hip resurfacings performed by two consultant surgeons were compared for femoral fit, pre-operative femoral neck shaft angle, post-operative prosthesis angle, acetabular cup abduction angle, seating of the acetabular component, post-operative complications and revision rates.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the alignment of acetabular components, seating of the acetbaular component and fewer problems associated with the acetabular introducer in the second cohort. There was more consistent placement of the femoral prosthesis in the neck,less notching and less variation in position in the second cohort.
Conclusions: There is a definite leaning curve associated with hip resurfacing and it was longer than expected.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Peter Kay, Editorial Secretary. Correspondence should be addressed to British Hip Society, The Hip Centre, Wrightington Hospital, Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9EP.