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[Swright]

Hello,

I'm 46 and need a THR. I am currently researching the materials used.

I think I'm going to get cross-linked poly. Two of the OS's I've seen do not like ceramic, they think even the smallest risk of fracture is too much. And after reading information on the Stryker ceramic problems I have to agree. Metal and the ion's scare me. My family has a history of cancer and although they don't confirm or deny that ion's put you at rist for cancer it seems they don't want to say either way, so that leaves cross-linked poly.

I am interested in seeing how long those of you who have cross-linked poly have had it and if you have had any problems. Also, is anyone familiar with Stryker X3 sequentially radiated and annealed cross-linked poly. It is so new that I'm having problems finding information on it.

Thank you in advance for any ***istance you can give me!

 

[Randy]

Hi,
I Googled Hip Replacement Materials and found some information on the type of material you are speaking of. You will want to look it over! I feel like I am driving myself crazy reading all the info on different materials. I wonder how much I should look this stuff over. A lot of it has not been around long and you have to take everything you read with a grain of salt, especially if the web site where you are getting your information has alternative motives for posting whatever they are posting. I hope that experienced surgeons can sort through all of this better than I can! Good Luck!

 

[Swright]

I agree. You can definately go blind and crazy trying to weed out information. Some of the cross-linked poly like Depuy's Marathon and Zimmer's Longevity have been out long enough for there to be studies. I'm at the point where I need and want my hip replaced. There are good cross-linked products now, but I'm wondering if the newest generation will be better. I don't want to wait to see so I geuss I'll have to find a great surgeon and rely on him.

 

[Josephine]

I would urge you all to remember that hip replacements have been around now for over 50 years (I know - I was there at the start!!) and the great preponderance of them have no problems at all. So many thousands of hip replacements done each year in the UK alone and heaven knows how many in the US!!

So personally I would be somewhat circumspect in how much you worry about this aspect of it. There are two other points to think about.

The surgeon you go to will have a vast amount of experience using the prosthesis he favours and will be in the best place to advise you on that product.

The surgeon will also have to 'live with' the hips he puts in just as the patient does in that if there are problems, HE'S the one who is going to have to face up to the patient and put things right. So he has a lot invested to make sure he uses prostheses that are reliable and problem free.

Just thought you all ought to take that on board when you're looking over these things.

Personally, I'd also rather go for a product that a particular surgeon is used to using rather than one he's had little experience on.

Just some thoughts for you.

 

[Randy]

Makes good sense to me! I can set back and read stuff on the internet day after day and still would have to end up trusting in your surgeon and the choices that they are trained and experienced enough to make. Also, I am sure that an individuals health insurance will play a part in what type of prosthesis they are willing to cover and how much they will pay for. Sad but true!

 

[Josephine]

very very true!!