Femoral head viability following resurfacing arthroplasty. A clinical positron emission tomography study.

Ullmark, Gösta; Sundgren, Kent; Milbrink, Jan; Nilsson, Olle · Hip Int · 2011

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Hip resurfacing (HR) carries attendant risks of avascular necrosis (AVN) and femoral neck fracture. We used fluoride positron emission tomography (PET) scans to analyze bone metabolism 2-5 years after surgery in 35 cases. Three of the patients had been clinical failures. Using PET scans in the remaining 32 cases, 7 were found to have an area of non-viable bone in the femoral head. This was seen following both posterior and antero lateral approaches. Fluoride PET is a sensitive and useful method for evaluating bone metabolism following HR.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy