Older Patients May Fare Better Following Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Since its inception, activity level and bone quality have been essential considerations for patients undergoing hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA). Moreover, younger patients tend to experience fewer complications, lower revision rates, and better outcomes after any surgery. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes, complication rates, and survivorship rates between younger and older patients undergoing HRA, providing insights into whether active older patients with appropriate bone quality can still achieve significant benefits from HRA.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Articles were screened by title and abstract, followed by full-text review. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to compare UCLA scores and odds of prosthesis survivorship between younger (<50 years of age) and older (>50 years of age) patients in studies comparing both age groups. Statistical significance was defined as a 95% confidence interval that does not include 1. In addition, the average complication and prosthesis survivorship rates were calculated and compared between younger and older hips using both comparative and noncomparative studies.

Results: From an initial pool of 1,286 articles, 31 met inclusion criteria, encompassing 22,691 patients. Analysis revealed a pooled mean age of 33.65 years for the younger cohort and 63 years for the older cohort, and a complication rate of 5.37% in younger compared with 3.83% in older hips. The difference in postoperative UCLA scores was deemed statistically insignificant based on meta-analysis. However, the difference in mean survivorship rates was found to be statistically significant at 86% for younger and 94.9% for older patients through univariate analysis and meta-analysis.

Conclusion: There is no significant difference in postoperative outcomes between younger and older patients undergoing HRA. In fact, older patients seem to experience higher prosthesis survivorship rates compared with younger cohorts. Older patients who are active and possess good bone quality can achieve outcomes comparable to their younger counterparts, indicating that HRA may be viable for a broader age range than previously considered.

Level of evidence: Level III, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.