Durable Hip Implants – Last A Lifetime

Sir John Charnley performed the first total hip replacement nearly four decades ago. In spite of technical advances in the design of artificial hip implants and replacements, we continue to see failure of these implants over time. Approximately 10% of total hip replacements fail in the first ten years, and another 30 to 40% over the next ten years. The search for durable hip implants is still on.

The hard metal ball that moves against the soft plastic liner used in replacements in the cup of the implant leads to wear of the polyethylene. Billions of particles of polyethylene let into the hips with a total hip replacement. The body's response to the polyethylene wear particles leads to loss of bone and loosening of the hip implant. Repeat hip replacements are then required. Polyethylene wear in the implant from total hip replacement is the major limiting factor in the longevity of hip replacements. A more durable hip implant would limit the damage to itself and the surrounding bone.

The stem portions of most hips implants and replacements are made of strong titanium or cobalt/chromium based alloys. They are strong materials for implants, and help reduce wear on the hips. The acetabular socket can be made of metal, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or a combination of polyethylene backed by metal. All together, these products are much stronger than earlier available hips implants.

Today, strong alternatives to metal and plastic implants are available. The three main categories of bearing materials are polyethylene, metal and ceramic used for a replacement implant in hips. Each of these materials is durable, strong, provides excellent performance, and each has distinct advantages. No one combination of materials for implants is best for all. The choice of implants for hip replacements depends on several factors.

Also see; hip pain symptoms.

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