The Early Results of Metal-On-Metal Hip Resurfacing: A Prospective Study at a Minimum Two-Year Follow-up (Clinical Report‪)‬

Conventional total hip arthroplasty in young and active patients remains a challenge for most orthopaedic surgeons given that this subgroup has high rates of failure requiring revision. (1-5) Hip resurfacing offers an attractive alternative to conventional total hip arthroplasty in young patients. The initial metal-on-polyethylene surface arthroplasties failed to provide a satisfactory solution because of excessive wear and loosening. (6-8) However, modern metal-on-metal bearings have renewed an interest in surface arthroplasty, by yielding improved implant durability and longer survivorship. (9-13) The indications are currently expanding to include other causes of secondary arthritis, such as osteonecrosis, developmental hip dysplasia, and Perthes disease, although the results may be less predictable. (14-16) Primary osteoarthritis (OA) remains the most common indication for hip resurfacing with the most reliable outcome. There are only a few studies in the literature evaluating the functional outcome and longevity of the newer generation implant, the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR[TM], DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN). (17,18) We prospectively followed all patients undergoing surface arthroplasty with this implant, to assess the short-term clinical outcomes and identify the potential causes of early failures.