Metal On Polyethylene Hip Replacement

The ball is made of metal and the socket is made of plastic polyethylene or has a plastic lining.

Metal on polyethylene hip replacement.

In addition other components can be made of metal and covered with plastic. 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 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. The socket or acetabular liner is usually made of this plastic.

Metal and plastic implants. 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. 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. A prosthetic made of metal and plastic are the most commonly used hip replacement implants.

There are no fda approved metal on metal total hip replacement. 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. A sub type of a polyethylene hip is made with a newer plastic called cross linked polyethylene which is more durable. Nevertheless metal on polyethylene still remains the second most popular hip.

The most commonly used metals used include titanium and stainless steel. Polyethylene and metal on polyethylene mop polyethylene is a high quality metal free plastic. Metal on polyethylene is one of the least desirable hip replacement devices besides metal on metal. 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.

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. The plastic is called. During a hip replacement your damaged hip joint will be replaced with an artificial ball and socket. 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.