That all-important question. Metal-on-metal? Ceramic-on-ceramic? Etc. etc. etc.? The choices are so confusing. I'm 50, love to walk and hike for miles and intend to do so for many years to come. What materials last the longest and allow for an active lifestyle? I'm also SMALL, 5'1". So what ever I choose has to come in a wide size range. Last but not least, the price, since I have no health insurance and am in the process of scraping together money for this. Have heard about something called Biomet M2a Magnum joint that seems to have all the necessary qualities but it sounds terribly expensive. I'd love to hear about what others have gone with and what works for them. Thanks, Wendy
What materials should I choose for my new hip joint?
- Thread starter HME
- Start date
- Status
dids
junior member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 44
If you can afford it - go for ceramic every time.
Metal on metal is not a good idea (so far as I am aware but then I've only been working in orthopaedic surgery for around 45 years!!). Metal on plastic is good and the standard of the day but the plastic cup does wear away over a period of time and thus the need for a revisions. It can fragment as well giving another set of problems but this is a very low incidence problem.
Ceramic on plastic is probably the best of both worlds - ceramic ball in a plastic cup that is. Low problems and great long life.
However, ceramic on ceramic has very low wear ratios and is pretty nearly problem free. However, it is prohibitively expensive. Worth it rather than shelling out for more operations in 15-20 years time!
Metal on metal is not a good idea (so far as I am aware but then I've only been working in orthopaedic surgery for around 45 years!!). Metal on plastic is good and the standard of the day but the plastic cup does wear away over a period of time and thus the need for a revisions. It can fragment as well giving another set of problems but this is a very low incidence problem.
Ceramic on plastic is probably the best of both worlds - ceramic ball in a plastic cup that is. Low problems and great long life.
However, ceramic on ceramic has very low wear ratios and is pretty nearly problem free. However, it is prohibitively expensive. Worth it rather than shelling out for more operations in 15-20 years time!
Dids,
Do you have an opinion on the different levels of cross-linking?
There are products that are irradiated at 5rads and some at 10rads....then there is the remelting or annealing....and now sequentially annealed...
So many choices, so few hips
Thanks
Do you have an opinion on the different levels of cross-linking?
There are products that are irradiated at 5rads and some at 10rads....then there is the remelting or annealing....and now sequentially annealed...
So many choices, so few hips
Thanks
United Kingdom(Also dids!)
the irradiation is just a sterilization process and should bother you at all! Different plants use different intensities.
Not quite sure what you mean by cross-linking. Can you explain for me? I probably know it by another term being a Brit!!
I'll look into the others but I'm sure they're just manufacturing processes and shouldn't really worry you overmuch.
the irradiation is just a sterilization process and should bother you at all! Different plants use different intensities.
Not quite sure what you mean by cross-linking. Can you explain for me? I probably know it by another term being a Brit!!
I'll look into the others but I'm sure they're just manufacturing processes and shouldn't really worry you overmuch.
Josephine,
By cross-linking it means applying radiation to break the polyethene bond. When it rebonds it makes it stronger. Then they apply annealed or irradiated heat.
Here is a cool video of how the Stryker material is used. I know it is new, but the idea that is maintains its strength is what sells me.
broken link removed: https://www.stryker.com/jointreplacements/sites/x3_hip/video.php
Some companies are on their 3rd generation of cross-linked poly.
Depuy's newest is Pinnacle AltrX, Stryker's is X3.
There are reviews/studies on this new material, however it hasn't been published yet.
By cross-linking it means applying radiation to break the polyethene bond. When it rebonds it makes it stronger. Then they apply annealed or irradiated heat.
Here is a cool video of how the Stryker material is used. I know it is new, but the idea that is maintains its strength is what sells me.
broken link removed: https://www.stryker.com/jointreplacements/sites/x3_hip/video.php
Some companies are on their 3rd generation of cross-linked poly.
Depuy's newest is Pinnacle AltrX, Stryker's is X3.
There are reviews/studies on this new material, however it hasn't been published yet.
jstevens501
new member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2
I am having hip surgery in Aug. the anterior approach.
this dr. was recommended by someone who had surgery with him and was also recommended by the Stryker rep. So I trust the person. Anyway, I mentioned ceramic on ceramic to him because the Stryker rep mentioned it. My OS said that if I asked him a year or so ago he would agree. But with a small percentage of patients ceramic on ceramic squeaks. Maybe 3-4%. Anyway, he preferred I use metal on polyurethane.
Im 57, reasonably healthy. not really active in sports. Not really sure what metal on poly is. just wanted to add some info.
thanks
Jeff
this dr. was recommended by someone who had surgery with him and was also recommended by the Stryker rep. So I trust the person. Anyway, I mentioned ceramic on ceramic to him because the Stryker rep mentioned it. My OS said that if I asked him a year or so ago he would agree. But with a small percentage of patients ceramic on ceramic squeaks. Maybe 3-4%. Anyway, he preferred I use metal on polyurethane.
Im 57, reasonably healthy. not really active in sports. Not really sure what metal on poly is. just wanted to add some info.
thanks
Jeff
The ball is metal - stainless steel or Titanium - and the cup is a special polyethylene. Most types have a metal cup seated onto the bone with a poly liner some are just poly. The only draw back with poly is that the wear ratio is slightly higher and, depending upon the amount of usage it gets, the ball part can become loosened within the cup thus requiring a revision. This can take a good few years, however. But most surgeons carry out regular xray checks and measure the thickness of the cup on the xray so it can be monitored right from the get go! One surgeon I know gets the patients to measure and calculate the wear so they feel involved!
Personally, I'd tolerate a little squeak over the possibility of wear but the choice, of course, is yours.
Let me know if there's anything else you want to know.
Personally, I'd tolerate a little squeak over the possibility of wear but the choice, of course, is yours.
Let me know if there's anything else you want to know.
What I thought would bother me was when the article said that if a particular movement caused the squeaking don't make that movement.
I know what causes my hip pain without a THR and I still forget and move that way. But then again, considering the pain before surgery that might just be a small price to pay.
I know what causes my hip pain without a THR and I still forget and move that way. But then again, considering the pain before surgery that might just be a small price to pay.
- Status
