ISTA 2025 - Does Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty Provide an Ion-Free Implant?

Description

The video features a presentation discussing advancements in hip arthroplasty with a focus on the wear of different types of implants, particularly metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings. The speaker highlights a longitudinal study on metal-on-metal hip resurfacing and the concern of cobalt and chromium ion release into the body, noting that while wear levels decrease over 23 years, they do not return to pre-operative levels. They reference a paper by Professor Morlock which raises questions about potential health risks linked to these implants.



The speaker contrasts these findings with those from ceramic bearings, which showed no wear in testing but raised questions about the presence of titanium and aluminum ions from the implant neck tapers. The discussion extends to the environmental and health implications of aluminum exposure, such as its potential neurotoxicity and association with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.



The presentation concludes by reiterating the risks associated with high aluminum levels in the bloodstream and the unknown long-term effects of the materials used in hip implants, questioning if we are on the verge of a new epidemic related to these medical devices. The speaker thanks the audience and invites them to engage further on the topic.

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