Hip resurfacing in patients under thirty years old: an attractive option for young and active patients

Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing is offered as an alternative to traditional hip arthroplasty for young, active adults with advanced osteoarthritis. The concept of hip resurfacing is considered very attractive for this specific population (hard-on-hard bearing component with a large femoral head limiting the risk of dislocation, and allowing femoral bone stock preservation).

A prospective clinical trial was designed to investigate the outcome of hip resurfacing in young patients (under 30 years old). We studied 24 hips in 22 patients. Mean age at operation was 24.9 years (range 17.1-29.9). No patient was lost to follow-up.

There was no revision at average follow-up of 50.6 months (44-59). Mean UCLA activity score improved from 5.5 (1-9) pre-operatively to 7.6 (1-10) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean Harris hip score increased from 43.9 (19-67) to 89.3 (55-100) (p < 0.001). Radiological analysis discerned no osteolysis and no implant migration.

The absence of short-term complications, such as mechanical failure or dislocation, is encouraging and leads us to think that mid-term results will be satisfactory. Moreover, the specific advantages of hip resurfacing (bone stock preservation, excellent stability, low risk of dislocation, large-diameter head) make the procedure a very attractive option for young subjects.