Hip resurfacing using the trochanteric flip osteotomy.

We report the early results and complications of resurfacing arthroplasty using the 'Trochanteric Flip Osteotomy' approach to the hip. There are no published clinical results of this approach used for resurfacing arthroplasty. One hundred consecutive patients were assessed prospectively for a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range 2-5 years). The Oxford Hip Score fell from a median of 30 pre-operatively to 5 at two years. Similar improvement was found in the UCLA Activity Score. There were no cases of component failure or fractures. However, nine patients had minor complications related to the osteotomy. Resurfacing Arthroplasty of the hip may be successfully performed through a trochanteric flip osteotomy. This surgical approach may avoid some of the complications associated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head.