Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hip Implant

A new ceramic-on-ceramic hip implant is designed to offer younger and more active patients an alternative for improving the long-term performance of artificial hip replacements by combining superior material strength with low wear characteristics. The implant has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Traditional materials such as plastic (polyethylene) and metal have been shown to wear over time, which creates a need for revision surgery in young and active patients. Using an aluminum oxide material, the ceramic-on-ceramic system can meet the demands of the most active patients and reduce the frequency of revision surgery. Called Keramos, the system is the product of Encore Medical Corp. (Austin, TX, USA), a diversified orthopedic company that offers meta-on-polyethylene, ceramic-on-polyethylene, metal-on-metal, and now ceramic-on-ceramic acetabular components.

"This is a technology that is based on material that has shown greater potential to increase the long-term success of hip prostheses,” noted Jack Cahill, president of Encore's Surgical Division. "In addition, we anticipate our Keramos ceramic-on-ceramic hip will carry a price premium to the current high-end hips available.”




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Encore Medical