Hip replacement removes the worn-out hip joint and replaces it with an artificial implant.
One issue is that hip replacements can wear out over time.
This bearing surface will articulate millions of times and is prone to wearing out over decades of activities.
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Sometimes hip replacement implants last for much longer or much shorter periods of time.
The goal is to design an implant that will last as long as possible.
The problem with smaller femoral head implants is that they have inferior stability and a higherdislocationrate.
For that reason, femoral head sizes have increased to make hip replacements more stable.
A recent advancement has been with the use of a highly cross-linked polyethylene.
Cross-linked polyethylene has been shown to have lower wear rates than conventional polyethylene.
Ceramic implants have also been investigated in an effort to find a longer-lasting implant.
One rare risk of older ceramic bearing surfaces is that they can develop cracks that lead to implant fractures.
In most situations, people should not be seeking the newest treatment available on the market.
They should be able to provide a thorough explanation for why they prefer the implants they use.
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