We compared the long-term clinical and radiological results of hybrid total hip replacement (THR) with metal-on-metal Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR) in two groups of 54 young patients matched for age, gender, body mass index and pre-operative levels of activity.

The clinical outcome was assessed by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and the EuroQol scores. Radiologically, all hips were assessed for migration and osteolysis, the hybrid THRs for polyethylene wear and the BHRs for a pedestal sign.

The mean follow-up of the patients with a hybrid THR was 16 years and for those with a BHR, 15 years. 12 patients with a hybrid THR and 6 with a BHR had died. 2 patients with a BHR refused follow up but remain unrevised and 5 were lost to follow-up, as was 1 with a hybrid THR. The revision rate of the hybrid THRs was 28% (15 of 54) and of the BHRs 11% (6 of 54) (p = 0.029). Radiographs of a further 13 hybrid THRs demonstrated wear and osteolysis but are functioning well and are under observation. Of the unrevised BHRs 96% had radiological changes, of which approximately 17% had progressed over the previous 6 years. All hybrid THRs demonstrated linear polyethylene wear with a mean of 1.84mm (0.06 to 2.6). The BHRs recorded superior OHS (p = 0.03), UCLA (p = 0.0096), and EuroQol visual analogue scores (p = 0.03).

After 15 years, patients with BHRs remained more active and had a lower rate of revision and death than those with hybrid THRs. Both groups demonstrated progressive radiological changes at long-term follow-up.