A study in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery investigated whether a new set of risk stratification guidelines can aid surgeons in follow-up evaluation of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty patients.
The researchers identified 1,709 patients who enrolled in a follow-up study of a recalled metal-on-metal hip replacement. To determine whether a revision was needed, they used a quantitative scoring system, rather than general guidelines, to assess the risk facing these patients.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The researchers used 11 scoring criteria related to symptoms, clinical status, implant type, metal ion levels and radiographic imaging results. They went on to determine the final risk assessment score by averaging the weighted values of each variable.
2. Of patients with high risk scores, the odds of revision increased by 5.8-fold relative to the moderate risk group; the odds of revision increased by 21.8-fold relative to the low risk group.
3. The researchers concluded by proposing the use of this metal-on-metal risk assessment tool to "aid in the clinical decision-making process."