AN AUDIT OF PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH PRIMARY HIP RESURFACING IN CAPPAGH NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL USING THE JOINT REGISTRY.

Abstract

Introduction: With the advent of harder wearing metal alloys such as cobalt chrome the technique of hip surface replacement has been resurrected. It is becoming an increasingly popular especially with the younger patient with end-stage hip arthritis. In this study we seek to demonstrate this procedure’s short term success rate for Cappagh and to demonstrate the new Joint Registry in action which has been collating data for the last 2 years.

Methods: The Bluespiers online database was used to identify 200 consecutive primary hip resurfacing performed in Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital between January 1st 2006 and January 31st 2008. Patients completed a WOMAC 3.1 Osteoarthritis assessment and SF-36 General Health survey before their operation and at their 1st Joint Registry Clinic Review, typically between five and 9 months post-operatively.

Findings: 200 hip resurfacing procedures by 7 surgeons were identified between January 1st 2006 and January 31st 2008. The mean patient age was 55 years(range, 23 to 81 years). 48 (32%) were female and 152 (68%) were male. Two post-operative femoral neck fractures were recorded which were converted to THR.

We used the SF-36 score as a surrogate marker of overall subjective health and quality of life. The average preoperative SF-36 score was 50.93 (5 to 94.4). The average SF-36 score at 1st Joint Review Clinic visit was 77.55 (23.77–100). This demonstrates an average improvement of 24.44 (−17.69 to 59.75)

As a measure of arthritis severity we will use the WOMAC 3.0 score as a surrogate. The average preoperative WOMAC score was 52.95 (4–92) and the average WOMAC score at 1st Joint Registry Review was 16.11 (0–75). This demonstrates an average decrease in WOMAC score of 34.46 (−29 to 83)

Discussion: Hip surface replacement in Cappagh as recorded by the Joint registry has good success in treating hip arthritis with good improvement of quality of life. We would hope to demonstrate with the joint registry continuing long-term success of this treatment.