Metal-on-Metal Implants: What you need to know

• Do you have questions about Metal-on-Metal (MoM) implants?
• Have you, a family member, or friend received a MoM implant?
• Are you concerned that your implants have been recalled?
• Do you have questions about hip resurfacing?

Over the past few years, there has been an over-abundance of media coverage (largely negative) about recent recalls to specific joint replacement implants, namely one specific device that is a MoM total hip replacement system. Please know that, as your doctor, I do not endorse, nor will I ever recommend this implant system for you. Please review the

• ‘MoM PATIENT SAFETY STATEMENT’

published by the collaborative efforts of the AAHKS, AAOS, & The Hip Society.

MoM implants were designed to prevent dislocation, which is one of the primary causes of failure of hip replacement systems. The MoM designs allow for a larger head ball size, which increases the stability & motion of the joint. The down side is that metal ions are created & not only impact the tissues around the joint BUT are also accumulated in the blood stream. The medical community does not know what the long-term impact of increased metal ions will be over time. More importantly, there are a small percentage of patients with MoM implants that develop what are called “adverse local soft tissue reactions” around the joint. During my fellowship, I personally treated many patients with this catastrophic problem & it can be very difficult manage. Therefore, I have made a personal decision to never recommend MoM implants to my patients. Studies have shown that there are safer bearing alternatives out there (Ceramic-on-Polyethylene, Ceramic-on-Ceramic, or Metal-on-Polyethylene) that do allow larger head sizes (in the range of 36-40mm) which afford adequate stability BUT do not have the down-side of metal ion production.

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