Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Replacement
Metal-on-Metal Hip ReplacementIn metal-on-metal hip replacement the articulating surfaces are made from cobalt-chrome. Cobalt chrome offers high wear resistance and has much smaller debris particles than the metal-on-plastic polyethylene plastic articulation. Metal-on-metal implants have been available in Europe for more than 20 years. Metal-on-metal implants made by several manufacturers. Hips by Wright Medical, Zimmer Centerpulse (Metasul) and Biomet (M2a and M2a Magnum), and DePuy ASR XL are approved for marketing in the US by the FDA.Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement
The precision of modern machining and strength of cobalt chrome make it possible to replace a femoral head with a prosthesis with a head diameter that matches the patient's natural femoral head. That means more natural hip mechanics and removes nearly all of the long-term risk of dislocation. The typical hip replacement replaces a 50-mm femoral head with a metal ball that is 24-28 mm. Some larger diameters, up to 36-mm have been used, but Wright Medical has been manufacturing full-sized components, in their Conserve THR line. Similar products are now offered by Biomet (M2a Magnum), Zimmer (Metasul LDH), and Depuy (ASR XL) and are approved by the US FDA for marketing in the United States.
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Original material © 2000-2006 Keith Brewster. Others as noted.