Hip Replacement Materials - The Best & Worst Kinds To Use (2024)

FAQs

What type of hip replacement material is best? ›

Since they were first used in 1970, ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants have been considered by many orthopedic experts the best option for hip prostheses, in terms of quality and durability. Ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants have lower rates of bone deterioration, loosening or dislocation and, ultimately, revision.

Titanium Implants

Both the ball and the socket of the hip joint are replaced with a titanium implant, and a plastic spacer is placed in between. Titanium metal has a long history of established effectiveness in hip replacement and continues to be preferred by many surgeons.

Titanium toxicity can elicit a number of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, blurring of vision, respiratory inflammation, lymphedema, and hyperpigmentation of the nails and skin [[12], [13], [14]].

The new, head-mounted augmented reality (AR) system projects 3D models of a patient's anatomy, implants, and surgical instruments onto the patient during the procedure. In other words, this gives surgeons “x-ray vision” into the body and improves surgical accuracy.

Metal on Plastic - The metal femoral head is the most common type of head implant. The metals commonly used include cobalt-chromium, titanium, zirconium, and nickel. Metal-on-plastic is the least expensive type of implant and has the longest track record for safety and implant lifespan.

Anterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive hip surgery performed to replace the hip joint without cutting through any muscles. It is also referred to as muscle sparing surgery because no muscles are cut enabling a quicker return to normal activity.

The most common type of hip replacement surgery is called a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty). In this surgery, worn-out or damaged sections of your hip are replaced with artificial implants.

Studies show robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery is five times more accurate at matching leg length and twice as precise at achieving optimal hip joint angle than conventional hip replacement surgery. Other benefits include: Reduced blood loss. More natural feeling after surgery.

Conclusion: Stainless steel implants have equal or superior biomechanical properties when compared with titanium implants. However, there is clinical evidence that titanium plates have a lower rate of failure and fewer complications than similar stainless steel implants in some situations.

Hip implant device materials include both plastic and metal. Metals commonly used as orthopedic materials include stainless steel, cobalt chrome, and titanium. Typically, airport screening detectors will identify patients with these metal implants.

Does cold weather affect titanium implants? ›

Cold temperatures may cause pain in a significant number of patients with orthopedic implants. A high proportion of these patients have significant pain (5–10 on a numeric rating scale) related to cold conditions.

Most used are titanium alloys, stainless steel, special high-strength alloys, alumina, zirconia, zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA), and UHMWPE. Usually, stems and necks are composed of metals, whereas femoral heads can be both metal and ceramic, and the acetabulum can be made of metals, ceramics or polymers.

A hip replacement (or partial hip replacement) only sees the ball part of the joint replaced by either a metal implant. A total hip replacement replaces both the ball and socket with an implant.

UH orthopedic surgeon Steven Fitzgerald, MD, says there is no upper age limit for knee and hip replacement surgery. A patient's overall health is the main consideration. “The oldest hip I replaced in the last 10 years was in a man who was 100 years old,” Dr. Fitzgerald says.

You can expect to experience some discomfort in the hip region itself, as well as groin pain and thigh pain. This is normal as your body adjusts to changes made to joints in that area. There can also be pain in the thigh and knee that is typically associated with a change in the length of your leg.

Consider spring and fall

Doctors recommend spring and fall as the ideal times for surgery. Moving around and exercising are essential parts of recovery. The weather around this time is perfect for maximizing visits to a physical therapist.

Most hip replacement patients are able to walk within the same day or next day of surgery; most can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total hip replacement recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it's important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program.

One of the most common serious medical complications related to joint replacement surgery is blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in the leg and is called a deep vein thrombosis.

Don't cross your legs at the knees for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Don't bring your knee up higher than your hip. Don't lean forward while sitting or as you sit down. Don't try to pick up something on the floor while you are sitting.

Can you still have arthritis after hip replacement? ›

Although they are rare, such problems include: Not enough pain relief. Joint replacement surgery relieves the pain and stiffness of arthritis for most people. Some people may still have some symptoms of arthritis.

In a prospective, randomized study, researchers at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found that Mayo Clinic patients who underwent DAA had objectively faster recovery than patients who had MPA hip arthroplasty.

The answer: In recent years, an increasing number of patients have been choosing the direct anterior approach. And it's certainly true that during the first few weeks and months after the operation these patients tend to get better faster compared with those who have other types of hip-replacement surgery.

Hip resurfacing is as effective as hip replacement in easing hip pain and improving mobility. Compared to hip replacement, hip resurfacing offers these advantages: Improved mobility: Most people who get hip resurfacing can run, jump and do all activities after they heal.

Titanium toxicity can elicit a number of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, blurring of vision, respiratory inflammation, lymphedema, and hyperpigmentation of the nails and skin [[12], [13], [14]].

It is not considered a toxic metal but it is a heavy metal and it does have serious negative health effects. Titanium has the ability to affect lung function causing lung diseases such as pleural disease, it can cause chest pain with tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, irritation of the skin or eyes.

Various complications can result from titanium plate internal fixation, including infection, exposure, pain, cold intolerance, and palpability.

Advise security officers of your implant

Tell the security officers about your joint replacement when you get near the security area. Let them know where your implant is located. A security officer will offer you a private screening that could include screening with a hand-held wand and a pat-down inspection.

Over 90% of implanted total hip and knee arthroplasty devices will set off airport metal detectors. Many implants now include ceramic and plastic materials in addition to metal, and the metal will still likely cause an alarm in the metal detector.

Titanium Does Not Set Off Most Metal Detectors

The metal detectors used by TSA create an electromagnetic field, which reacts with magnetic metals and sets off an alarm.

Can you go through airport security with titanium implants? ›

The majority of metal detectors used by the TSA work by creating an electromagnetic field, which sets off an alarm when it detects any nearby magnetic metals. In most cases, modern dental implants are primarily made from titanium, a non-magnetic metal. So, titanium dental implants should rarely trigger metal detectors.

One of the causes of implant failure can be attributed to allergic reactions to titanium. There have been reports of hypersensitive reactions such as erythema, urticaria, eczema, swelling, pain, necrosis, and bone loss due to titanium dental implants [15, 67, 68].

Titanium may obscure specific areas of an image, but it is not affected by even strong magnetic fields. Not all metallic elements are attracted to magnets, and most orthopedic implants are made of nonmagnetic alloys.

Since they were first used in 1970, ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants have been considered by many orthopedic experts the best option for hip prostheses, in terms of quality and durability. Ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants have lower rates of bone deterioration, loosening or dislocation and, ultimately, revision.

Cemented. Cemented total hip replacements are considered gold standard in many countries. The stem is fixed in position inside using bone cement, which holds it securely in position inside the femur.

Metal-on-metal hip implants have the same adverse effects as other types of hip implants, including infection, loosening, bone loss, device or bone fracture, and joint dislocation.

What Is Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery? The anterior approach is a newer minimally invasive technique now being performed by some surgeons. This approach uses a smaller incision near the front of the hip and avoids muscle cutting to access and replace the joint.

The surgical technique for a SUPERPATH^® Hip Replacement was developed as an advancement to traditional total hip replacement. The SUPERPATH^® technique is a tissue-sparing procedure which aims to get patients back on their feet within days (possibly hours) instead of weeks or months.

Who Is NOT a Good Candidate for Hip Replacement? You may not be a good candidate if: You have a chronic disorder, such as Parkinson's disease or a condition that causes severe muscle weakness. You have a severe illness or infection.

Exactech first recalled their GXL brand of hip-liners in the summer of 2021.

Which type of hip surgery is best? ›

The best hip replacement operation out there, is through the anterior approach. Anterior - meaning from the front of your hip. Most of the country traditionally goes from the posterior approach. The posterior approach works, but post-operative dislocations are higher than the anterior approach.

You'll likely be able to return to most of your daily activities, including driving, in about 6 weeks. Full recovery may take 1 year or more. It's important to talk to your doctor about how to prepare for this surgery and what the recovery period involves.

No Leg Crossing

For at least two months after hip replacement surgery, avoid crossing your legs. This is particularly a risk if you bring your knee across your body. Putting a pillow between your legs while sleeping can prevent inadvertent leg crossing during sleep.

Types of surgical approaches

the back of the hip – the posterior approach. the side of the hip – lateral or anterolateral approach. the front of the leg – anterior approach.

What are the Three Approaches for Total Hip Replacement Surgery? Dr. Dan Albright, orthopedic surgeon discusses the three approaches to hip replacement surgery: anterior, lateral and posterior and which approach he feels has the quickest recovery.

When it comes to organ transplants, your body can reject the new and foreign organ for any number of reasons. However, with hip or knee replacements, rejection to the metal is exceedingly rare.