Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print New joint replacement material developed at MGH put to first clinical use

New joint replacement material developed at MGH put to first clinical use

July 24, 2007

New form of polyethylene will allow stronger, more versatile joint replacement

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) surgeons have performed the first total hip replacement using a joint socket lined with a novel material invented at the MGH. An advance over first-generation highly crosslinked polyethylene, which was also developed at MGH and significantly reduced a serious complication of early hip implants, the new material may be applied in replacements for a wider variety of joints in a more diverse group of patients.




"We think this material could be used for any joint in the body and in any implant design, even those demanding higher flexion and more mobility," says Orhun Muratoglu, PhD, co-director of the Harris Orthopædics Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory (OBBL) at MGH, who developed the new material in collaboration with scientists at the Cambridge Polymer Group.

Total replacements for hips and other joints were developed in the late 1960s, but it soon became apparent that hip implants could start loosening about 5 years after surgery and would eventually fail completely. A team led by William Harris, MD, DSc, now director emeritus of the MGH OBBL, investigated this complication and found that long-term friction of the implant's head against the polyethylene-lined joint socket would break off small particles of polyethylene. The body's immune system reacted against these foreign particles, eventually destroying adjacent bone tissue and causing the implant to loosen - a condition called periprosthetic osteolysis.

Harris and his colleagues, working with polymer chemists from MIT, found that high doses of radiation would "crosslink" the polyethylene, bonding molecules together to produce a much more durable material. The procedure also generates free radicals that could lead to oxidization and degradation of the implant, but the research team found that melting the material would eliminate free radicals. The first-generation highly crosslinked polyethylene was approved by the FDA for use in implants in 1999 and has been licensed to Zimmer, Inc.

However, the MGH researchers knew that the first-generation material had limitations in strength that made it unsuitable for some types of joint replacement implants. Subsequently, Muratoglu found that oxidation could be blocked by diffusing the antioxidant vitamin E throughout the polyethylene material. Both mechanical testing and animal studies have shown that the new material resists wear as well as the first generation and is much stronger. Vitamin-E-stabilized, highly crosslinked polyethylene has also received FDA approval for use in joint implants and has been licensed to both Zimmer and to Biomet, Inc., which made the implant used in the first surgical procedure on July 16.

"This material will allow us to offer our patients very long-term, high-performance joint replacements," says Andrew A. Freiberg, MD, chief of the Arthoplasty Service in the MGH Department of Orthopædics, who performed the first implant with the new material. "It should be suitable for higher-stress applications in younger patients, those who are more active and those who are heavier."

Massachusetts General Hospital



Related Joint Replacement Current Events and Joint Replacement News Articles Joint Replacement Current Events and Joint Replacement News RSS Joint Replacement Current Events and Joint Replacement News RSS
Hormone promises to keep joint injuries from causing long-term osteoarthritis
An existing osteoporosis drug is the first ever found to prevent cartilage loss from osteoarthritis following injury to a joint, and may also regenerate some cartilage that has been lost to osteoarthritis.

Scientists Find New No-Needle Approach to Prevent Blood Clots
The dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health and a team of scientists worldwide have found a better way to prevent deadly blood clots after joint replacement surgery - a major problem that results in thousands of unnecessary deaths each year. The research appears this week in the New England Journal of Medicine.

New NIH Funding to Support UAB Total Joint Replacement Research Collaboration
Newly announced National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding will expand the reach of ongoing University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) research into a unique nanostructured coating to improve the performance and longevity of total joint replacement components.

Study to assess hip exercises as treatment for osteoarthritis in the knee joints
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are testing a novel regimen of hip-muscle exercises to decrease the load on the knee joints in patients with osteoarthritis.

Study shows athletes and weekend warriors can keep playing after shoulder joint replacement
Replacing a joint in any part of the body often leads to a long recovery process and the possibility of not being able to return to a sport or activity.

Joint replacement patients with diabetes greatly benefit from controlled glucose
Diabetics undergoing total joint replacement often are at a higher risk of experiencing complications after surgery due to various pre-existing health conditions.

Immune reaction to metal debris leads to early failure of joint implants
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have identified a key immunological defense reaction to the metals in joint replacement devices, leading to loosening of the components and early failure.

New clues to healing arthritis caused by traumatic injury
A strain of laboratory mice that has "superhealing" powers has been found to resist inflammation after a knee injury, and also to avoid developing arthritis at the injury site in the long term, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone
Hip resurfacing is often seen as a modern alternative to the more conventional total hip replacement, but new data from a study led by Rush University Medical Center suggest that a patient's age and gender are key to the operation's success.

Study shows pine bark naturally reduces knee osteoarthritis
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is on the rise. A new study published in the August journal of Phytotherapy Research, reveals Pycnogenol, bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, reduced overall knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms by 20.9 percent and lowered pain by 40.3 percent.
More Joint Replacement Current Events and Joint Replacement News Articles
K Source RH057W Replacement Head Ball Joint Adjustment, White 5" x 7"

K Source RH057W Replacement Head Ball Joint Adjustment, White 5" x 7"
by K Source

K Source RH057W Replacement Head Ball Joint Adjustment, White 5" x 7"

UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook, Second Edition: Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Total Joint Replacement and Medical Devices

UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook, Second Edition: Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Total Joint Replacement and Medical Devices
by Steven M. Kurtz Ph.D. (Author)

This book describes the science, development, properties and application of of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in artificial joints. This material is currently used in 1.4 million patients around the world every year for use in the hip, knee, upper extremities, and spine.

Since the publication of the 1st edition there have been major advances in the development and clinical adoption of highly crosslinked UHMWPE for hip and knee replacement. There has also been a major international effort to introduce Vitamin E stabilized UHMWPE for patients. The accumulated knowledge on these two classes of materials are a key feature of the 2nd edition, along with an additional 19 additional chapters providing coverage of the key engineering aspects (biomechanical and...

  Super Joint Grease
by Mugen Seiki USA

This is the Super Joint Grease from Mugen. / / FEATURES: High quality grease for use on cup joints, universal joints, thrust / bearings and more / / INCLUDES: Super joint grease / / tlw 1/25/08

K Source RH067 Replacement Head Ball joint adjustment, Chrome 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"

K Source RH067 Replacement Head Ball joint adjustment, Chrome 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"
by K Source

K Source RH067 Replacement Head Ball joint adjustment, Chrome 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Stens Replacement Right Hand Ball Joint for MTD # 723-0448

Stens Replacement Right Hand Ball Joint for MTD # 723-0448
by Stens

Replaces MTD 723-0448, ,723-0448A ,723-0448AP ,923-0448A ,723-0448 Fits MTD All 1997 and newer tractors (except 995 models)

Pyrex Accelerated One-Step Extractor/Concentrator Replacement Parts; Viton O-Ring; Joint: 35/25

Pyrex Accelerated One-Step Extractor/Concentrator Replacement Parts; Viton O-Ring; Joint: 35/25
by Corning Life Sciences

O-Ring, Viton; Corning; Joint: 35/25; Case of: 24

CV Joint Replacement DVD

CV Joint Replacement DVD
Starring: Artist Not Provided

Automotive technicians and car enthusiasts guide you through the removal of a worn-out CV joint and the installation of a new CV joint on a car's drive train. Find out how to repair your own car by learning the tricks of the trade that are provided in this program.

Iovate Joint MD, 50 caps

Iovate Joint MD, 50 caps
by Iovate

Joint MD is an all in one formula for joint health made with natural ingredients. It is designed by doctors and has been clinically proven to be fast acting and more powerful than Glucosamine. Doctor Formulated and Approved Joint MD delivers fast Joint and Cartilage Support. It works up to 300% faster than Maximum Strength Glucosamine to dramatically support joint health. Joint MD has been clinically proven to support Joint Function and Flexibility.Faster Joint Relief and Cartilage Support!

Ikelite Strobe Arm II, 12" & 6" Dual Arms w/ Joints (Replacement)

Ikelite Strobe Arm II, 12" & 6" Dual Arms w/ Joints (Replacement)
by Ikelite

The Strobe Arm II System provides superb capability and versatility at a very realistic cost. The design provides rotation in all directions and allows the tube to slide up and down for length adjustment.This system is easy to manipulate underwater, and is as versatile as costly ball socket arm systems.

JOINT EC79 Hitachi Replacement Part # 160618

JOINT EC79 Hitachi Replacement Part # 160618
by Hitachi

JOINT EC79

© 2009 BrightSurf.com