Metal on metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty. An economic analysis.

This paper explores the cost utility of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty (MOM) as an alternative intervention to total hip replacement or 'watchful waiting' for patients with advanced hip disease. Early implant failure among younger and more active elderly patients can mean that the use of total hip replacement (THR) is delayed, with patients managed through 'watchful waiting', a combination of pain control and other non-surgical interventions. Information on costs is combined with evidence on effectiveness from a systematic review in a Markov model in order to estimate the incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) of MOM relative to THR and 'watchful waiting'.