About the Hip Total Hip Replacement Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Ceramic Hip Replacement Surface Arthroplasty Computer Navigation Anterior Hip Approach

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the expert guidance of your orthopedic surgeon. Any questions or concerns you may have should be directed to your orthopedic surgeon. People facing hip replacement often wonder if they will be able to resume an active lifestyle after surgery. An additional concern is whether their new hip components will be able to withstand the stress of a more active lifestyle. Since hip implants are subject to wear over time, it was necessary to develop implants that may with­stand the higher demands of active lifestyles. This, coupled with the positive results of some early metal-on-metal implants and advances in manufacturing technology, led to the development of the metal-on-metal hip implant. The metal-on-metal hip implant is designed to provide long-term resistance to wear. Traditionally, hip replacement implants feature a metal ball that moves against a polyethylene (high durability plastic) cup. Metal-on-metal implants feature a metal ball that moves against a metal cup. The benefit of a metal-on-metal implant is that metal is much harder than polyethylene. As metal moves against another material, it creates friction, and friction wears down the material against which it moves. The more active a person is, the more movement and friction are placed against their hip implants. Since metal resists wear better than polyethylene, the metal-on-metal hip implant is better able to resist wear. In fact, extensive testing has demonstrated that the metal-on-metal hip implant has up to 1/350 the wear of conventional metal-on-polyethylene implants. This means there is a strong possibility that the metal-on-metal hip can outlast traditional polyethylene, which is an important consideration for patients whose surgeons think premature wear may become an issue. Another feature is the implant's diameter can be as large as 60 millimeters. Most hip replacements have a ball, or head, that is between 28 and 32 millimeters in diameter. The larger size hip means that there is less risk of dislocation and an even greater reduction in wear when compared to smaller implant heads. Read Orthopedics Today article!