Are there any dangers in hip implants

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Hiker2

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Hi all,

I'm told by the doctor & specialist that I will soon need a RTHR. I am bone on bone on the right side. Fortunately I don't suffer much pain at all, but I am losing flexibility. I rarely take any painkillers.
I am starting to look at options. I came across Regenexx stem therapy but I expect stem therapy is probably not of any help to me.
I am however concerned about tumours, genetic instability, etc, caused by hip replacement materials. Regenexx have sent me information indicating these potential problems.
Goes anyone have any knowledge of these apparent risks?

Thanks.
 
Welcome to BoneSmart!
I am however concerned about tumours, genetic instability, etc, caused by hip replacement materials.
Where ever did you read this. Absolute rubbish! If there were danger of tumours, genetic instability, etc none of us here would be here talking about life after THR. Please do some reading here and ask all the questions you have. THR is a new beginning, not a life sentence!
I came across Regenexx stem therapy but I expect stem therapy is probably not of any help to me.
No you would not be a candidate for this - as is the case with most. You need to have only limited damage (if any) to the joint to even consider this. In any case, it's still very experimental.
 
Hi Jaycey.
Thanks for your reply.
Regenenexx has sent me information about studies that have been done showing these results.
Would you like me to post the links?
 
I believe that this proponent of Regenexx is using scaremongering and exaggeration, in order to promote his own product. To claim that one person in three develops a tumour after receiving a hip replacement is ridiculous and unfounded.

In any case, metal on metal implants are becoming increasingly rare.

Don't believe this guy's advertising hype. Your arthritis is too far advanced for Regenexx to help you.
 
I am however concerned about tumours, genetic instability, etc, caused by hip replacement materials.
These articles are very misleading. For example
This one links from that article by Chris Centeno to another article by him and the third article is from a Journal of Bone and Joint Surg Br. dated 2004! 12 years old! This was a long time before the extensive research into the problems of metal on metal (MoM) was even started. I know this because I was personally involved in some of it as you can see in this article from the BoneSmart Forum Library Solving The Uncertainties Dec 2011.
One of the articles he cites as evidence here is own article dated December 29, 2011 which was also grossly out of date.

The medical fraternity moves much more quickly these on such issues and I can promise you faithfully that all the problems he has cited - every one of them! - has been the subject of research which brought about changes to a whole variety of technical areas including metallurgy, implant design and manufacture and many other areas which previously weren't included such as corrosion and wear. Previously these specialities would only be active in aircraft manufacture, ship building, deep sea drilling rigs and other similar industries. He is scaremongering excessively to promote the dubious 'speciality' in which he has involved himself. I would imagine that most of his patients are people like yourself who have been scared silly by his claims.

However, what he isn't telling people is that this treatment only works where there is early changes to a joint, so early in fact that the patient wouldn't even yet be aware they had a problem! But once there is even a low level of damage, the stem cell treatment doesn't work.
 
Thank you for your comments. Now I really don't know what to make of it all.
 
@Hiker2 Find yourself a surgeon who will discuss all the options with you. Someone your gut feeling says you can trust and work with. That bone on bone situation is only going to get worse and the tradeoff from waiting is a longer recovery.

Do some reading in the hip recovery area of this site. Lots of happy new hippies!
 
My recommendations were that you opt for the total hip replacement. It has a much easier recovery and much better outcomes.
 
Yes, there certainly is a lot of valuable and interesting material on this site.
 
Would people be so kind as to give their opinions on the use of the following materials for hip replacements:

The implant = cement free stem (made of titanium)
The acetabular component = cement free and made of titanium.
The bearing surface is ceramic liner and a ceramic head.
 
@Hiker2,

You may be over thinking all this.

You should be guided by your surgeon and what components he uses.

Discuss with him/her why those components are preferred by him/her..

For reference, I had titanium cup, ceramic liner, ceramic head and cementless titanium stem.
 
I have asked the surgeon and that is what will be used for me. I'm just wondering if there have been any problems with these materials. I know that there have been some problems with various metals.
 
@Hiker2,

Not sure if you are referring to metal on metal implants that were used many years ago and caused particles of cobalt and/or chromium to cause problems?

I do not believe that these are used any more.

One of the questions I asked my surgeon was if he had ever used these. His answer was never and they were a disaster waiting to happen. That was another tick in the box to select him as my OS.
 
The "problems" were with metal on metal hip implants but those are no longer used. Your description (ceramic on ceramic) is a standard implant used world wide with great results.

Let your surgeon chose the implant that is best for you given your own medical situation and (most importantly) one that the surgeon has the most experience using.
 
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