Learn About Ceramic Hips
What is Ceramic-Ceramic Technology?
The use of alumina ceramic in total hip replacement has a long and successful clinical history. By taking a ceramic femoral head and articulating it against a ceramic acetabular component you can minimize particle debris which can cause early implant failure. The aluminum oxide material provides high strength and wear resistance and has been shown to last longer than traditional metal and plastic components. The manufacturing of these products has evolved into a state of the art process that ensures a high quality component. One hundred percent of all ceramic-on-ceramic products are inspected before leaving the plant.
What are the technology improvements that are available to me today?
Implant technology has improved the wear rate of implants. In other words, testing indicates that with new technologies such as ceramic-on-ceramic surfaces, hip implants wear better. Traditionally, implants were made to articulate with a metal femoral head and polyethylene (plastic) acetabulum. We know that polyethylene is a soft material that inevitably wears. Therefore young, active patients with total hip replacements can see polyethylene wear on x-ray within several years in some cases. Osteolysis or bone resorption becomes progressive, necessitating polyethylene liner exchange and bone grafting at some point or the problem will get even worse. Ceramic-on-ceramic surfaces may decrease wear and the conditions associated with it.
