Replacement Hip Fixatives – Stem Cells Beef Up Artificial Joints

During hip replacement surgery, the bony parts of the diseased hips are removed and are replaced by an artificial hip implant. To avoid movement of the replacement implant within the bone, surgeons apply replacement hip fixatives such as acrylic glue around the edges of replacements and implants. This glue anchors the implanted hip to the bone, providing stability to the artificial joint. However, these fixatives do not reduce the damage to the surrounding bone and subsequent implant failure.

Recent research efforts have produced a replacement hip fixative made from the body’s own cells. Stem cells along with minerals, and proteins that regulate cell growth called growth factors, are combined to produce a fixative for hip replacements. Being made up of live, viable cells, this fixative has been labeled the “living glue.” The stem cells are able to mature into normal bone cells and strengthen the hip bones around the implant in the hips. reducing the chances of an implant failure.

Of the hundreds of thousands of hip replacements that take place every year, about 10% result in failure of the implant. This is due to the damage to the normal bone surrounding the hip implants, caused by wear and tear leading to loosening of the implant. Implant failure requires surgery for a repeat hip replacement or other joint repairs. It is believed that in a decade or two, this newer stem cell fixative in hips would obviate the need for second replacement implants in hip transplant recipients.

Also see; hip replacement surgery.

About The Author:

Dr. Bharat Sharma is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.hip-replacement-care.com. He has been working in the medical rehab field for more than a decade. Keeping up to date with techological advancements he has become a self appointe