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July 11, 2008

As the incidence of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing has increased in recent
years, especially in younger patients, research published in the Journal
of Bone and Joint Surgery – British Volume (JBJS-Br) discusses
occurrences of “pseudotumours” as a result.

The researchers estimate that approximately 1% of patients who have
metal-on-metal hip resurfacings develop pseudotumours within five years of
treatment. A pseudotumour is ‘a soft-tissue mass associated with the
implant…neither malignant nor infective in nature’, but that causes pain and
discomfort to the patient.

Most worryingly for patients and doctors is that the causes of the tumours
are unknown. The research discusses possible causes including ‘toxic
reaction to an excess of particulate metal wear debris.’ The article
stresses the need for further research to be done into the incidence of
pseudotumours in patients who have had this treatment.

The paper concludes that the incidence of pseudotumours must be related to
metal-on-metal hip resurfacing highlighting ‘the need for regular clinical
follow-up for new devices’. Such follow-up would follow NICE
recommendations, but the current NHS climate makes this difficult, if not
impossible, to achieve.

Read the research abstract

Notes

– The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery – British Volume is a world
leading orthopaedics journal with an Impact Factor of 1.868

– JBJS-Br publishes twelve issues a year of high-quality,
peer-reviewed research, overseen by an international editorial board led by
Editor James Scott

– The Journal was first published in 1948 by The British Editorial
Society of Bone and Joint Surgery, a registered charity (No. 209299), with
the object of the advancement and improvement of education in orthopaedic
surgery and allied branches of surgery and the diffusion of knowledge of new
and improved methods of teaching and practicing orthopaedic surgery in all
its branches

– You can find out more about the Journal at

Journal
of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume