Hip Replacement Fixatives – Stem Cell Magic Prevents Implant Failures

Patients undergoing hip replacements have either a cemented or an uncemented implant, based on the age of the patient and the integrity of the bones. Cemented implants need hip replacement fixatives like the acrylic glue or polymethyl methacrylate to bind the replacements implant to the underlying bone. Generally, elderly patients with weaker hips and are given cemented hip replacements.

Also called bone cement, the acrylic hip replacement fixative helps stabilize artificial hip implants. The fixative enables the patient to start walking immediately after the surgery with the implant. This reduces the hospitalization period of the patient and prevents complications of prolonged bed rest. In younger patients with stronger hips, replacements are done without using fixatives to cement the implant.

About 10% of implants fail due to implant wear, which eventually leads to bone loss and loosening of the implant. When this occurs, the patient has to undergo a second operation called a revision, where the surgeon estimates the damage to the bone and the implant. The patient may then need a bone repair or a repeat replacement, which is a more difficult procedure than the first replacement.

Canadian researchers have developed a new fixative from stem cells in the body. Stem cells have the ability to mature into any specialized cell. These stem cells are taken from the bone marrow and grown artificially using nutrients such as minerals and growth factor proteins. This mixture has been used as a joint replacement fixative in implants in place of acrylic glue as it actively promotes bone growth and repair by forming new bone cells in hips. This strengthens the joint by holding the implant and the bone together.

The stem cell fixative will greatly reduce the number of hips implant failures obviating the need for a repeat hip replacement.

Also see; arthroscopic hip 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 appointed expert.