|
Themes - Introduction - Hip Resurfacing – An Implant Whose Time Has Come Again |
|
|
|
Hip Resurfacing – An Implant Whose Time Has Come Again
James N. Powell, M.D., FRCSC
Guest Editor
Calgary, AB
At this year’s Canadian Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting held in Calgary, a symposium was held on the assessment of new technologies including one that has recently reappeared: hip resurfacing. I believe that this is currently one of the most contentious topics in arthroplasty surgery. Dr. Steven J. M. MacDonald organized the symposium on resurfacing and he was one of four speakers - three of whom have agreed to summarize their presentations for publication in this issue of the COA Bulletin. I am certain that you will enjoy reading the articles by Drs. Paul E. Beaulé, James P. Waddell and Steven J. M. MacDonald.
Following this symposium and case presentation, we polled the attendees. Thirty-six per cent (36%) of the attendees who were not performing resurfacing were prepared to consider it after appropriate training. Seventy-percent of the attendees felt that metal ion release was a significant issue in hip resurfacing arthroplasty. Ninety-percent that felt that each orthopaedic surgeon trained in the technique should be able to undertake resurfacing arthroplasty. Interestingly, 90% also felt that it should be reserved for the domain of the high volume arthroplasty practitioner. It was almost an even split as to whether this operation should be available in a publicly funded system with 55% voting yes on this issue and 45% voting no. Almost 90% of surgeons felt that patients having hip resurfacing should be in a clinical trial and 95% felt that patients should be followed in the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry.
I trust you will enjoy reading the articles and I anticipate much more debate on this topic over the next two or three years.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 March 2007 )
|
Member Services 
