Apples for Health- Hip replacements can be extremely durable

Hip replacements can be extremely durable

CHICAGO, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Cementless metal cup hip replacement designs are extremely durable even 20 years after repeat or "revision" hip replacement, U.S. researchers said.

The study, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, determines early implants of the Harris-Galante-1 acetabular metal shelf -- which allows the patient's bone to grow into the cup -- remain fixed in place in 95 percent of cases.

"The study's results indicate that even the first generation of this device has excellent clinical results and durability," study investigator Dr. Craig Della Valle, of Chicago's Rush University Medical Center said in a statement. "Even after 20 years, there is low rate of failure in terms of fixation."

The researchers -- including one of the device's originators, Dr. Jorge Galante -- studied 138 replacements and identified four loose cups using X-rays. In the 73 patients still living after 20 years -- representing 77 replacements -- 21 underwent surgical revisions -- revealing one loose cup.

The study did find an increased rate of repeat surgery for wear-related complications in 18 percent of the patients, but the main causes of failure were infection and recurrent dislocations. The study authors recommend reducing some of these risks by using larger diameter femoral heads and more wear-resistant bearings.