Cartilage repair in the hip

Abstract

Chondropathies of the hip, whether on the femoral head or the acetabulum, are believed to be a frequent cause of hip pain and precedent to osteoarthritis (OA). There are approximately 80,000 hip replacements performed each year in England and Wales, the majority for OA [19]. The incidence of OA is set to double by 2030 with changing demographics and altered lifestyles; it is estimated that one in five OA patients gives up work or retires early because of his or her condition [20]. Over the last 5 years, there has been a 49 % increase in revisions of hip arthroplasty, which are costly, complex and time consuming in theatre usage, in addition to having a less successful outcome than primary arthroplasties. There is a need to develop treatments at an earlier stage which can delay, or better still alleviate, the need for a hip arthroplasty. The treatments must deliver patient benefit and be cost-effective.