Hip Replacement Bearings - Surfaces, Keep In Touch!

The success of total hip replacements depends in part on the materials, design and processing of the materials used in the implant. In spite of careful measures, implants may fail. In due course of time, with daily activity stress, bearing surfaces may wear out and need replacement. Wear is the ongoing shedding of minuscule amounts of material from the implant due to friction or rubbing. Modern hip replacement bearings are highly wear-resistant. These bearing surfaces are the result of intense research to develop materials that resist wear better and allow the hips to last longer. The demand is greater for the young patients who are keen to get back to their life.

The hip replacement bearing in conventional replacements were metal and plastic. These implants have been shown to have a high degree of wear and tear, causing loosening of the implant. Biomaterial advances have opened doors for researcher with new bearing surfaces, and there are now several different options when hip replacement surgery is considered. The implants available with better bearing surfaces are ceramic-on-polyethylene, metal-on-polyethylene, ceramic-on-ceramic and metal-on-metal hips.

The serviceable life of hip replacement implants depends on the materials that are used to make the implant. Of late, the existing materials are much improved in order to yield better results. Polyethylene durability has been improved through cross-linking the chains. This highly cross-linked polyethylene is very wear-resistant. Ceramic implants resist chipping and breaking better than the early versions. Even metal-on-metal hips are improved to prevent loosening that sometimes occurred in previous metal-on-metal implants. New metals are being tried to provide smooth, gliding surfaces for frictionless movements.

Also see; glossary of hip replacement terms & definitions.

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.