Metal backing improves the survival of surface replacement of the hip.

Nineteen patients with juvenile chronic arthritis underwent 29 resurfacing hip arthroplasties. In 22 the original all-plastic Wagner acetabular component was used and in 7 the metal-backed Wagner-Tillmann component. After a mean of 11 (range 8-13) years 19 of the Wagner acetabular components had been revised and another 2 showed radiographic loosening. After a mean of 7 (range 5-9) years no metal-backed acetabular cup had been revised and only 1 was definitely loose.