Ten-year Clinical Results Of The Metasul Metal-on-metal Articulation

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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A study published today in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume summarises 10 years of clinical and radiological data on the results of the Metasul metal-on-metal articulation in primary hip replacement. The research is the first of its kind to report results of the Metasul articulation with a minimum follow-up of ten years.

Of the 100 patients who were given the Metasul metal-on-metal articulation, 15 died before their ten year review. However, in each of these cases all had 'well functioning hips' at time of death. Six other patients required revisions, four of these for unexplained pain, which may possibly be associated with 'aseptic lymphocytic vasculitis' and therefore continued follow-up of patients is advisable in order to monitor long term performance.

Of the remaining 85 patients 'in a direct comparison group with metal-on-polyethylene' the Metasul group 'did not show a higher failure rate at ten years' and the rate shown falls well within recommended targets. Therefore, the report's authors suggest that Metasul metal-on-metal articulation has been performing well in the first decade of use, but that 'it remains to be seen whether [they] will continue to perform satisfactorily in the next decade'.

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The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume