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Affiliations:
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a North Tees and Hartlepool Hospital,
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b Statistics Department, University of
Newcastle,
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c Medical Physics and,
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d Orthopaedics, Freeman Hospital,
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract
Background
Resurfacing is a popular
alternative to a standard
hip replacement in young
arthritic patients. Despite
bone preservation around the
femoral component, there is
little information regarding
the bone quality.
Patients and methods
32 patients underwent
consecutive Birmingham hip
resurfacing. The bone
density of the femoral neck
was measured preoperatively
and then at 6 weeks, 3
months, 1 year, and 2 years.
The femoral neck was divided
into regions of interest.
Results were available for
27 hips in 26 patients.
Results The overall
femoral neck bone density
showed a trend towards a
decrease at 6 weeks and 3
months but returned to the
preoperative level at 1
year, and was maintained at
2 years. The combined
superior regions of the neck
showed a statistically
significant decrease in bone
density at 6 weeks and 3
months. This returned to
preoperative levels at 1
year and was maintained at 2
years.
Interpretation Bone
density appears to decrease
at 6 weeks and 3 months,
suggesting that care is
necessary until bone density
begins to recover.
