2010 Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacing as an Alternative to Total Hip Arthroplasty Medscape

Description: Conclusion While there are more published studies comparing hip resurfacing with THA than at the time of the CTAF 2007 assessment, all of which suggest equivalent results for resurfacing and THA, some of the same questions that were of concern at that time remain and we reiterate them here: What is the long term durability of the resurfaced hip compared with THA? What will be the short and long term results when this generation of younger patients who have undergone hip resurfacing are eventually converted to THA? Will there be unforeseen long term complications that will make this revision more problematic than anticipated? What are the long term health consequences of increased low levels of circulating metal ions produced by MoM hip resurfacing? It is incumbent upon the hip resurfacing community to continue to investigate these questions and assure that metal-on-metal hip resurfacing continues to be a viable and safe option for young active patients with degenerative hip disease.
Despite these remaining questions, after considerable discussion and expert testimony regarding the existing data on both benefits and harms, the forum supported approval of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing as an alternative to total hip arthroplasty.
Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacing as an Alternative to Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Technology Assessment
Leah Karliner, MD, MASPosted: 10/19/2010; CTAF © 2010 California Technology Assessment Forum