Surface Replacement is Comparable to Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Conversion of a failed surface hip replacement to a conventional total hip arthroplasty is reportedly a straightforward procedure with excellent results. We compared perioperative parameters, complications, and clinical as well as radiographic outcomes of 39 hemi and total hip resurfacing conversions with conventional THAs. The hips were matched by diagnosis, gender, age, body mass index, preoperative Harris hip score, and followup time to a cohort of primary conventional THAs performed during the same time period by the same surgeon. The mean operative time was longer (by 19 minutes) for the conversions, but other perioperative parameters were similar. At a mean followup of 45 months (range, 24–63 months), the mean Harris hip scores were similar in the two groups (92 points versus 94 points for the conversion and conventional hips, respectively). Thirty-eight of 39 stems were well-aligned and appeared osseointegrated. When a resurfaced hip fails, conversion to conventional THA has similar early clinical and radiographic outcomes to primary conventional THA.

Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic (retrospective comparative study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.