Metal on metal hip resurfacing is increasing in popularity for the young, active patient. We present the results of a consecutive series from a single surgeon over a ten year period; 295 hip resurfacings (McMinn and Cormet; Corin, Cirencester, UK) with a minimum follow up of 2 years and a mean follow up of 4 years. There were 173 males with a mean age of 53.4 years and 121 females with a mean age of 50.3 years. Forty-six patients underwent bilateral resurfacings. All resurfacings were performed through a posterior approach.

The aetiology in this group was primary OA in 75.9%, inflammatory arthritis in 6.1%, DDH in 6.1%, AVN in 4.7%, trauma in 4.7%, Perthes in 1.7% and SUFE in 0.7%. Patients were reviewed clinically and radiographically on an annual basis. Follow-up was available on 93% of patients. 94.2% of hips have survived and the mean Harris Hip Score is 87.5. Females had a higher failure rate (10.7%) than males (2.3%). There was no clear trend between patient age and failure rate. The highest failure rate (33.3%) was seen in patients with DDH whilst only 4.5% of patients with OA failed. One patient with AVN failed but no failures occurred in patients with inflammatory arthritis, trauma, Perthes or SUFE. Failures occurred due to cup loosening (2.0%), neck fractures (1.7%), head loosening (1.0%), head collapse (0.3%), infection (0.3%) and pain (0.3%). The five patients who suffered neck fractures were symptomatic within 3 months of surgery.

We remain cautiously optimistic about the medium term results of hip resurfacing. Careful patient selection is important and caution should be taken in females and patients with DDH