Hip resurfacing with a highly cross-linked polyethylene acetabular liner and a titanium nitride-coated femoral component.

AIMS: This study evaluated a specific hip resurfacing system to determine the: (1) function and complications, (2) implant survivorship, (3) acetabular bone conservation and joint biomechanics and (4) osteolysis and polyethylene wear.

METHODS: I performed 234 resurfacing procedures (192 patients) using a two-piece titanium acetabular component with a 4 mm highly cross-linked polyethylene liner and a cementless titanium nitride-coated titanium femoral component. Function was assessed with Harris Hip, WOMAC, SF-12, and UCLA scores. Radiography and CT scans were used to evaluate bone retention, component position, joint biomechanics, and osteolysis. Retrieved polyethylene liners were analyzed for wear.

RESULTS: Median follow-up was 8 years and patients averaged 48 years of age at surgery. The mean Harris Hip Score was 96 and all scores improved significantly. Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 97%. The mean medial acetabular thickness was 9 mm postoperatively versus 14 mm preoperatively ( p = 0.019). Femoral bone conservation (head:neck ratio) was 1.36 postoperatively versus 1.42 preoperatively ( p = 0.02). There was no polyethylene wear through or osteolysis. Eight polyethylene retrievals had a mean wear of 0.05 mm/yr.

CONCLUSIONS: Resurfacing with a highly cross-linked polyethylene acetabular component and a titanium nitride-coated titanium cementless femoral component is a reliable and bone-conserving procedure at mid-term.