Total hip replacement has long been considered the treatment of choice for older patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the hip. However, for younger and more active people, some surgeons favour metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty. In this technique, a metal cap is placed on the top end of the thigh bone (femur) to cover the damaged surface of the bone, and a metal cup is placed in the hipbone socket. The goal is to preserve the thigh bone and restore movement to the joint.
Health Quality Ontario Reviews Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty
The worldwide withdrawal of one hip resurfacing implant in 2010, because of higher-than-expected rates of surgeries having to be redone, resulted in some uncertainty regarding other implants. Health Quality Ontario reviewed the evidence and compared the revision rates for hip resurfacing arthroplasty implants with the benchmark set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and explored potential safety issues related to exposure to high levels of metal ions.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care endorses these recommendations.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided the following response: The Ministry agrees with these recommendations and encourages health care professionals to adhere to them. Arthroplasty is an insured service in Ontario.