Update on Total Hip Bearing Surfaces

Update on Total Hip Bearing Surfaces

Information reviewed at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, emphasized that cross-link polyethylene and metal remain the gold standard for hip bearings in total hip arthroplasty in 2010. Alternative bearings such as metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic continue to be used but concerns about reaction to metal ions in metal-on-metal hips and squeaking in ceramic-on-ceramic hips continue to temper enthusiasm about use of these implants. There are pros and cons to all of the above options and in specific individuals, one bearing option may be preferable to another based on your individual patient needs and expectations. It is important that you discuss this with your physician and more often than not the recommendation that your surgeon makes is the most appropriate one for you.

— William P. Barrett, MD

About The Author

Valley Medical Center's Marketing and Community Outreach Office

0 Comments

  1. kyle

    Hello Dr. Barrett,

    I am contacting you on behalf of Dr. Stephanie Stephens. Dr. Stephens recently started a blog about female sports injuries called, femalesportsinjuries.com. I was wondering if you would be interested in adding her blog to your blog roll and we would reciprocate. Please e-mail me if you would be interested. Thank you!

  2. Dr. William Barrett

    Dear Dr. Gopalan,
    1. I do not perform surface replacement but in small lesions it would be applicable but in large head involvement it would compromise implant support.

    2. Revision with a ceramic head using a metal adaptor on neck and ceramic liner would be most appropriate, fortunately the fx rate of ceramic on ceramic is very low.
    Regards,
    William Barrett