Summary

Conventional total hip replacement has failed the young active adult. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing addresses this difficult patient group.
We have shown that the femoral head remains viable after hip resurfacing./li>
Femoral neck fracture is a rare occurrence and in our experience has only occurred in the presence of poor bone quality.
Femoral head fixation with cement has been shown by us and others to be extremely durable.
We have seen early and extensive ingrowth into the hydroxyapatite coated Forocast™ socket.
It has been shown that thick film lubrication is possible in these large headed metal on metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty bearings.
We have observed no wear on retrieved Birmingham Hip Resurfacing bearings.
We have measured low blood metal ion levels in a highly active group of patients fitted with the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing.
We have measured low frictional torque in these Birmingham Hip Resurfacing bearings on a realistic loading pendulum apparatus.
The dislocation rate is very low and in 1,839 metal metal hip resurfacings performed between February 1991 and December 1999 we have seen one dislocation.
We have treated a young, active patient group with arthritic hips when they needed their treatment most, allowing them to return to work.
Patients have achieved excellent functional results after this procedure with many participating in recreational sport allowing the health gain associated with activity.
In this young and active population we have seen in our 1,720 hybrid hip resurfacings in the Birmingham series between March 1994 to December 1999 an overall 99% success rate and in our longest follow-ups we have a 98% survivorship at 6-7 years.