BoneSmart
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Updated October 5, 2022 by Jamie
Just as the use of ceramic components for hip implants was becoming more common, two articles back in 2008 and 2009 and several related studies on squeaking in ceramic hips created quite a stir in the orthopedic community. The noises were real and surgeons worried that it might be signaling the wear and disintegration of the ceramic surfaces. This did not prove to be the case and ceramic hip implants are still in use today. They are frequently recommended for younger, more active patients due to their longevity.
It is possible for any hip implant to make a variety of noises that have been described as squeaking, clicking, popping, clunking, grinding, or snapping. But the majority of disruptive squeaking noises occur with hard-on-hard bearings (ceramic components). It is thought to result from even a slight implant positioning problem and does not occur with metal-on-polyethylene hip implants. “Stripe wear” found on used ceramic parts suggests the noise may begin when these parts rub together. The audible squeak may be the resulting harmonic vibration of the metal shell or stem. Given today's sophisticated alignment tests used during surgery, squeaking in ceramic hips is much less likely to occur than with earlier ceramic implants.
It is possible for any hip implant to make a variety of noises that have been described as squeaking, clicking, popping, clunking, grinding, or snapping. But the majority of disruptive squeaking noises occur with hard-on-hard bearings (ceramic components). It is thought to result from even a slight implant positioning problem and does not occur with metal-on-polyethylene hip implants. “Stripe wear” found on used ceramic parts suggests the noise may begin when these parts rub together. The audible squeak may be the resulting harmonic vibration of the metal shell or stem. Given today's sophisticated alignment tests used during surgery, squeaking in ceramic hips is much less likely to occur than with earlier ceramic implants.
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