Metal On Polyethylene Hip Replacement

Metal on polyethylene is one of the least desirable hip replacement devices besides metal on metal.

Metal on polyethylene hip replacement. During a hip replacement your damaged hip joint will be replaced with an artificial ball and socket. The socket or acetabular liner is usually made of this plastic. The most commonly used metals used include titanium and stainless steel. During hip replacement a surgeon removes the damaged sections of your hip joint and replaces them with parts usually constructed of metal ceramic and very hard plastic.

A sub type of a polyethylene hip is made with a newer plastic called cross linked polyethylene which is more durable. Ceramic on metal com ceramic on ceramic coc ceramic on polyethylene cop ceramic hips are made of specialized and more durable versions of the same type of material that plates and bowls are made from. There are no fda approved metal on metal total hip replacement. This artificial joint prosthesis helps reduce pain and improve function.

Metal and plastic implants. Both metal and polyethylene are subject to wear particles and the plastic and metal contaminants that will envelope your entire joint are a cause for concern. The bearing surface of this ball and socket can be made from a number of different materials including a metal ball and a plastic polyethylene cup. Both the ball and the socket of the hip joint are replaced with a metal implant and a plastic spacer is placed in between.

A prosthetic made of metal and plastic are the most commonly used hip replacement implants. Historically the femoral head was quite small in large part because that means less surface area to rub between the ball and the socket leading to lower. In these hip joints the traditional metal ball and polyethylene liner are replaced by a high strength ceramic bearing that has the reputation for ultra low wear performance. Clinical studies monitored by the fda and begun in 1998 have demonstrated excellent performance although it should be noted that ceramic has been used in hip.

The ball is made of metal and the socket is made of plastic polyethylene or has a plastic lining. Nevertheless metal on polyethylene still remains the second most popular hip. Polyethylene and metal on polyethylene mop polyethylene is a high quality metal free plastic. A traditional hip replacement implant uses a metal femoral head the ball of the implant and conventional polyethylene or plastic as the acetabular component the socket of the implant.