THE DUROM HIP RESURFACING – RESULTS AT AN AVERAGE FOLLOW UP OF 4.6 YEARS

Abstract

Hip resurfacing preserves proximal femoral bone stock, optimises stress transfer to the proximal femur and offers inherent stability and optimal range of movement. The early results of metal–on-polyethylene resurfacing designs were poor and the resurfacing concept was largely abandoned. Modern metal-on-metal articulations enabled the introduction of a new generation of hip resurfacings with encouraging early results. In 1997 two of the authors developed a hip resurfacing system utilizing a metal-on-metal bearing. Our study reports on the clinical and radiological outcomes of the first 200 hips that were treated with the Durom hip resurfacing at an average follow up of 4.6 years (range 3.5–6).

Between May 2001 and December 2003, 200 consecutive hip resurfacings were performed on 189 patients, using the Durom hybrid metal-on-metal system. The average age of the patients was 50 years (range 22.5 – 72.3) and 119 were male. Patients were seen at 6 weeks and at 3, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter for clinical and radiological evaluation. Clinical results were evaluated using the Harris Hip Score. A subjective assessment of patient satisfaction was obtained and patient activity was assessed using the UCLA activity score.

No patient was lost to follow up. There were no dislocations and no femoral neck fractures. One femoral component was revised due to aseptic loosening 3.9 years postoperatively. There was one late acute haematogenous infection that was successfully treated elsewhere by debridement and retention of the prosthesis. The mean Harris Hip Score improved significantly from 46.7 preoperatively to 94.4 postoperatively. The mean HHS constituents for pain, function and motion all were significantly improved from the preoperative values of 11.9, 25.7 and 4.2 to 41.8, 43.4 and 4.8 respectively following the resurfacing procedure. The mean UCLA activity score was 7.2 indicating a relatively active patient population and 179 hips were rated as excellent by the patients. No cup was considered radiographically loose. Extensive radiologic changes were observed around the femoral stem in 2.5% of the hips, with migration of the femoral component in one case and stem demarcation in 4 cases. All 5 patients maintained excellent function and had no hip pain. Pelvic osteolysis was observed in 2 cases. Neck remodelling changes were observed in 35 hips (17.5%). Kaplan-Mayer survivorship analysis demonstrated the rate of survival of the resurfacing components to be 99.5% (95% confidence interval 98.5 to 100) with revision for any reason as the endpoint.

Early results with the Durom resurfacing system appear encouraging. Although these should be regarded with caution, modern metal-on-metal hip resurfacing potentially offers the ultimate bone preservation and restoration of function in appropriately selected young patients.