Metal on metal hips need more revision

6 December 2011

A major study confirms metal-on-metal hip joints are more prone to needing revision (early replacement) and offer no advantage over conventional materials.

The study, co-authored by Australia's joint replacement registry director Professor Stephen Graves, analysed data on more than 830,000 operations recorded in registries globally and covering 3000 patients in 18 studies (BMJ 2011; online 29 Nov).

It follows withdrawal of the faulty DePuy hip joint device, a type of metal on metal artificial hip joint.

Traditional hip implants consist of a metal ball that fits into a polyethylene (plastic) socket. These implants are usually successful but eventually wear out. In an effort to create longer lasting devices, metal ball and socket (metal on metal) and ceramic ball and socket (ceramic on ceramic) implants have been developed.

"Disease-specific functional outcomes and general quality of life scores were no different or they favoured patients receiving metal-on-polyethylene rather than metal-on-metal in the trials," the authors said.

"In the 3 largest national registries, there was evidence of higher rates of implant revision [early replacement] associated with metal-on-metal implants.

"Results do not indicate any advantage for metal-on-metal or ceramic-on-ceramic implants compared with traditional ... bearings."


 

Last Reviewed: 09 December 2011

Reproduced with kind permission from Medical Observer Weekly.
©Copyright: myDr, MIMS Australia, 2000-2013. All rights reserved.

Sponsored links

myDr Newsletter

Get myDr delivered to your inbox Privacy Policy
 
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

This web site is intended for Australian residents and is not a sbstitute for independent professional advice. Information and interactions contained in ths Web site are for infomation purposes only and are not intended ot be used to diagnose,treat , cure or prevent any disease.Further , the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information available on this web site cannot be guaranteed. MIMS Australia Pty Ltd, its affiliates and their respective servants and agents do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incured by use of or relance on the information made available via or throught myDr whether arising from negligence or otherwise.
See Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.