Incidence and natural course of initial polar gaps in Birmingham Hip Resurfacing cups

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the incidence of initial polar gaps and their effect on clinical results in Birmingham Hip Resurfacing cups. A total of 151 hips in 134 patients who underwent hip resurfacing at a mean age of 50 years were examined. The mean follow-up period was 7 years. A polar gap was identified in 47 hips (31%) with a mean width of 2.1 mm. Gaps of 2 mm or more were identified in 21 hips, 6 of which showed reductions in cup inclination during the initial 3 months. After 3 months, no progressive cup migration was observed. There was no cup revision. All gaps were filled with bone within 2 years of surgery. The initial polar gaps had no significant influence on the stability of hydroxyapatite-coated Porocast cobalt-chromium hemispherical monoblock cups (Midland Medical Technologies Ltd, Birmingham, UK), although gaps of 2 mm or more had a higher risk of early migration.