Hip Implant Performance - Try Till You Succeed….

A hip replacement operation involves changing the damaged joint with an artificial femur head and acetabulum. The implant is composed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. This material is very suitable for the replacement implant but it tends to wear out under the extreme pressure exerted by daily activities. The hip joint implant moves approximately one to three million times in a year. It is also calculated that pressure put forth on the hips is about three times the body weight; when climbing stairs, it becomes about six times. These calculations emphasize the amount of activity-related stress hip implants go through. The debris from the replacement which is produced due to activity may generate bone gaps, leading to a loosening of implants. The clientele is also much younger, requiring better hip implant performance in terms of endurance and range of mobility.

All over the world, researchers are trying different approaches in order to improve the hip implant and replacement performances. High-power computing techniques are being used to imitate the activities of implants and sophisticated mathematical models are employed to calculate the stress upon the hips and improve hip implant performances. Researchers also conduct various types of load-bearing tests to assess the endurance and wearing capacity of the implants. Polyethylene is already in clinical use, but long term effects are still to be investigated. These techniques may indicate the performance of an experimental hip implant even before it is implanted. The new implants would generate less wear debris and prevent the vicious circle of loosening of implants, which would enhance the overall performance. With the tremendous pace at which the research studies are going on, an ideal hip replacement should be at hand soon.

Also see; hip replacement treatment.

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.