Replacement Hip Debris Wear - Particulate Foes Of Implant

Any two surfaces in close contact tend to brush with each other during movements and release minute particles of the constituting material. The same is applicable to the surfaces in a hip implant. During activity at the hips, the femoral head surfaces slide closely with the acetabular cup surface. The resulting friction between the moving surfaces of the implants progressively generates microscopic replacement hip debris wearparticles. All the materials used in hip implants wear out, releasing wear debris, but the rate differs with each type of material.

The materials used in artificial hips are biologically inert, meaning they do not generate a tissue response when in contact with living body tissue; the body does not identify the implants as foreign. But the replacement hips debris wear particles are biologically active and evoke an immune response. This tissue response speeds up the osteolytic process causing bone resorption. The bones around the implant after resorption leave gaps between the bone and the implant. The phenomenon, called loosening is the biggest cause for the majority of correction surgeries.

The speed at which debris wear particles are generated depend upon the technique of surgery, patient’s weight, activity and the type of implant used. Implants having polyethylene components have the highest rate of wear particle release. Metal bearing surfaces have shown a lesser degree of implant wear after replacement, but metal implant recipients have an abnormally high concentration of metal ions in their blood and urine. The most recent ceramic-on-ceramic implants are harder wearing and longer lasting than any other contemporary implants. The ideal implant is yet to be developed.

Also see; complications of total hip replacement.

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.