Read Complete Article Here
Nothing lasts forever, including artificial joints. Failing prosthetic joint replacements are a potential serious health problem for the more than 7 million Americans living with an artificial knee or hip. That number is increasing rapidly every year, too.
“Adults are living longer, and many are maintaining a very active lifestyle, creating the need for long-lasting joint replacements,” says Robin Pourzal, PhD, a research scientist in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center.
Total hip replacements now last between 15 and 25 years in most cases. However, if a reaction occurs, the implant life time can be less than five years.
Further extending the life of artificial knees and hips is a challenge, given that they already are made carefully from metals such as titanium or cobalt-chromium based alloys, and portions are made of polyethylene. Using an advanced technology available nowhere else in the …