The National Joint Registry (UK) recently released its 2011 Annual Report, providing current data on hip replacement implants in England and Wales. The authors studied hip replacement outcomes from procedures conducted from 2003 to 2010. Of the primary hip replacement procedures carried out during this time period, metal-on-metal hip implants posed the highest risk of revision when compared to other types of hip devices. Specifically, the risk of revision surgery in patients with all-metal hip implants rose significantly at the six year mark.
The authors listed the risks associated with having a metal-on-metal hip implant. These included higher revision rates, poorer functional outcomes, concerns with metal debris damage, possible soft tissue damage (metallosis), and the release of cobalt and chromium into the bloodstream. The report specified that these problems could be associated with large diameter femoral heads.
Specifically, the authors of this report cited the DePuy ASR as an example of the problematic metal-on-metal hip implant. Data analyzed in the report showed that “the ASR results are noticeably worse than other groups by two years post-surgery…” The DePuy ASR was recalled by the manufacturer in August 2010.
See the Public & Patient Guide to the NJR Annual Report 2011 at:
