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We simply cannot predict how long the hip resurfacing implants will last for several reasons. First, wear of implants is a function of how they are used; NOT a function of time! In other words, durability is directly related to several factors including the patient’s activity level, quality of the femoral bone, implant design, the patient’s unique anatomy and the surgeon’s skill in performing the surgery. Secondly, it is difficult and inappropriate to prognosticate about a device’s performance and longevity without long term clinical data. In the absence of long term data, categorical statements regarding implant durability are purely speculative. As the JRI and other centers continue to monitor hip resurfacing patients post-operatively for longer periods of time (e.g., 5-10 years and beyond), greater quantities of data will have been compiled and analyzed. Researchers will then be able to present clinical performance outcomes data to surgeons, patients, health insurance payors and other interested parties with a greater degree of statistical confidence.
 

What is the expected life for the resurfacing hip as compared to THR?

I DON’T KNOW! It is only one of the possibilities to do longer than 10 years in young and active people! If you don’t get osteolysis (bone that is going away) or no measurable wear of the friction couple, metal-on-metal resurfacing can last very long. Just give me a crystal bal. There are large metal-on-metal articulations that stayed for more then 30 years. If activity will play a big part in the wear of the prosthesis, is today also questionable.

 

It depends on your age and activity level. The best reports on standard metal plastic hip replacement indicate that in patients with average age 70, 95% last 10-15 years. With these same implants, patients age 40-60, the implants survivorship drops to 70-80% over 8 years. Metal hip surface replacement shows 96% survivorship at 7 years in patients age 40-60. Studies of ceramic-ceramic, metal crosslinked polyethylene and small bearing total hip replacements show approximately 95-98% survivorship in young patients as well.
 

Longevity of Implant

The short term results (4-6 year follow-up) of hip resurfacing are encouraging. However, the early failures of hip resurfacing appear to be greater than for total hip replacement (2.2% vs 1.9%), with the majority of the early failures due to femoral neck fracture. Whether the newer forms of hip resurfacing will be successful long term is unknown. It may require 10 years or longer to determine whether this newer form of hip resurfacing is as good as total hip replacement at comparable time intervals.

 

Dr. Michael Jacobs of Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, Md., says resurfacing devices did not have a smooth beginning when they were introduced several decades ago.

"The devices failed because the sockets were made of plastic, and the plastic turned out to be the wrong material. It couldn't take the stress of the resurfacing device," says Jacobs.

The new devices seem to be working. Eight years of investigational studies have shown that the metal is holding up, and the surgeries are successful. But over a lifetime, the results are unknown.

 

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