Large Versus Small Femoral Heads for Hip Replacement

Randomized Trial of Large Diameter Femoral Heads (36/40 mm) Versus Conventional Diameter Femoral Head

Description:

This is a study to see if we can reduce the number of post-surgical dislocations that occur after revision hip replacement. About 15% of all revision hips will dislocate. Although hip dislocation is not a life-threatening condition, it can be painful, it requires hospitalization to treat, and it can be extremely distressing to those unfortunate enough to experience it. As more hips are replaced, more will also need revision, and the number of people at risk for hip dislocation will increase. We may be able to greatly reduce, and possibly eliminate, the likelihood of dislocation by using a large diameter femoral head. Femoral head now in use are much smaller than the bone that was replaced. Larger heads have better geometry and we hypothesize that they will provide better range of motion with less chance of dislocation.

Methodology:

This is a randomized single-blinded clinical trial taking place at ten different centres in Canada and the U.S.

Participant Recruitment:

The study is open to most people who are having revision hip replacement for reasons other than fracture or infection.

Impact For People With Arthritis:

Revision of a hip replacement is a treatment failure that we hope to avoid. If and when it happens we want to do a lasting permanent repair. Dislocation is one of the main complications after revision hip replacement. By solving this problem we will help assure that revisions, even if not unavoidable, can be as successful as the first hip replacement.
 

Time Frame:

January 2003 - December 2006

Funding Agency:

Zimmer, Inc. Warsaw, Indiana, U.S.A.
 

Project Team Members:

Principal Investigator

Donald Garbuz  MD, MHSc
Research Scientist, ARC

Co-Investigators

Nelson Greidanus  MD, MPH. PhD
Research Scientist, ARC

Michael J. Dunbar  MD

Daniel Estok II  MD

Allan Gross  MD

Lance Johansen  MD

Paul Kim  MD

James Kudrna  MD

Bassam Masri  MD

Wayne G. Paprossky  MD

Todd Sekundiak  MD

Steven H. Weeden  MD

Study Coordinator

Jennifer Zander
Research Assistant, ARC

Other Institutions Involved:

Dalhousie University
Halifax, Canada

Harvard Medical School
Boston, USA

Mount-Sinai Hospital
Toronto, Canada

Cedar Lake Surgical Center
Biloxi, USA

University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada

Northwestern University Medical School
Evanston, USA

Rush Medical College
Chicago, USA

University of Nebraska
Omaha, USA

Texas Hip & Knee Center
Fort Worth, USA