Patients who have Metal-on-Metal (MoM) hip implants face several possible risks like osteolysis because of their implant, medical industry observers say. Periprosthetic lesions are still a problem that most surgeons are unable to avoid even with the number of advancements in hip replacement surgeries, according to an article from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The rate of hip implant wear and tear contributes to the occurrence of bone resorption or osteolysis. The problem with hip implant wear and tear led to the development of the MoM implants, although there were several Biomet hip lawsuits because of the problems caused by the implants, as verbalized by some patients.
There have been many improvements that were made in the materials and designs of prosthesis that made it possible to decrease the number of cases related to osteolysis. Osteolysis is the loss of calcium in the bones causing the bones to become brittle and prone to fractures. In severe cases, the damage may also spread to the muscles. There were incidences when the patient had to undergo a secondary revision surgery to remove the damaged area to prevent it from spreading to other areas. High-risk patients are carefully monitored by health care providers.
The following are risk factors for implant wear and tear:
- Age – patients who are older are at risk of developing osteolysis if they are suffering from osteoporosis.
- Athletes – those who use their joints for running or jumping add stress the implant.
- Obesity – high body mass index may add stress to the joints and increases the occurrence of misalignment during surgery.
There are surgical and non-surgical ways to treat osteolysis and it depends on the severity of the problem. The extent of the damage of bone loss dictates the treatment plan for men and women who develop osteolysis. Medications may be used to treat the smaller lesions, however some people may not always show any symptoms. If the problem is not treated by medications, the surgeons need to surgically remove the all wear debris and restore the bone stock when needed, according to the experts from AAOS. The source of the wear particles need to be taken out during the surgery as might cause more problems. Researches are being made to discover other ways to prevent the osteolysis. Patients who feel that their implants caused the problem asked for the assistance of a Biomet hip lawyer.
URL References:
aaos.org/news/aaosnow/feb08/clinical5.asp
drugs.com/cg/osteolysis.html
medscape.org/viewarticle/420395
There have been many improvements that were made in the materials and designs of prosthesis that made it possible to decrease the number of cases related to osteolysis. Osteolysis is the loss of calcium in the bones causing the bones to become brittle and prone to fractures. In severe cases, the damage may also spread to the muscles. There were incidences when the patient had to undergo a secondary revision surgery to remove the damaged area to prevent it from spreading to other areas. High-risk patients are carefully monitored by health care providers.
The following are risk factors for implant wear and tear:
- Age – patients who are older are at risk of developing osteolysis if they are suffering from osteoporosis.
- Athletes – those who use their joints for running or jumping add stress the implant.
- Obesity – high body mass index may add stress to the joints and increases the occurrence of misalignment during surgery.
There are surgical and non-surgical ways to treat osteolysis and it depends on the severity of the problem. The extent of the damage of bone loss dictates the treatment plan for men and women who develop osteolysis. Medications may be used to treat the smaller lesions, however some people may not always show any symptoms. If the problem is not treated by medications, the surgeons need to surgically remove the all wear debris and restore the bone stock when needed, according to the experts from AAOS. The source of the wear particles need to be taken out during the surgery as might cause more problems. Researches are being made to discover other ways to prevent the osteolysis. Patients who feel that their implants caused the problem asked for the assistance of a Biomet hip lawyer.
URL References:
aaos.org/news/aaosnow/feb08/clinical5.asp
drugs.com/cg/osteolysis.html
medscape.org/viewarticle/420395
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