Resurfacing Hip Replacements Research and Events

Two research meetings were held in June and August 2007. The first meeting was to evaluate a new Hip Assessment Questionnaire developed in the USA and plan the prospective metal on metal hip trial in Bristol. The second meeting was to finalise the work on Radiographic Templating and to set up a protocol for a prospective evaluation of Resurfacing Hip Replacements.

In July I chaired a part of the international meeting at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry, UK. The Resurfacing Hip Replacement meeting was coordinated By Professor James Richardson. There remains a keen interest in this procedure and of all patients undergoing hip surgery annually in the UK about 10% of patients have a Resurfacing Hip Replacement.

I was invited by Dr Hendrik Delport for a visit to his Hip Unit in Sint Niklaas, Belgium on the 6^th August. In the evening I was able to savour the famous Duvel Belgium beer and the following day swap research ideas and surgical techniques used with Resurfacing Hip Replacements. I was able to participate in surgery and utilise navigation to allow accurate seating of the femoral head. I was impressed by the surgical skills, dedication, enthusiasm and team work in the operating suite at the hospital.

The work has started for the forthcoming trip to Sweden at the end of September 2007 where I will present on Bearing Surfaces and Resurfacing Hip Replacements. The foundations have been laid for the 2007 Bristol Hip Meeting to be held on the 8^th and 9^th of November.