Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing

The management of an arthritic hip in young active Patients represents a challenge to the treating orthopaedic surgeon. Results of the conventional hip arthroplasty in male patients under 55 have bee shown to approach 70% survivorship at 10 years,(1) Hip resurfacing has many theoretical advantages including bone preservation, reduced risk of dislocation and increased range of movement that can benefit this particular group of patients. The results of early hip resurfacing prototypes did not meet expectations and failures were seen early on as a result of cup loosening and femoral collapse, Recently, hip resurfacing has been reintroduced with improved design, engineering and metallurgy. The early clinical results of the new Metal-on-Metal (MoM) resurfacing prostheses are encouraging, In its new design with hard MoM bearing surfaces, hip resurfacing can provide a valuable alternative in the armamentarium of the hip surgeon. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.