04/08/2010
RAMC’s Dr. Kevin Weber is the first surgeon in Sauk County to offer hip replacement patients Stryker’s
Mobile Bearing Hip. This new hip system’s design philosophy offers active patients increased stability, range of motion and longevity by mimicking the patient’s natural anatomy.
Clinical studies show that larger diameter heads (the ball shaped part of the hip at the top of the thighbone) reduce the rate of dislocation. Until now, most large head technologies were metal-on-metal designs. While metal-on-metal hip systems offer patients stability, recent studies suggest there are risks associated with metal-on-metal bearings due to complications arising from metal ion release. These complications include pseudo tumors, a tissue reaction where a mass of inflammatory tissue forms in response to metal ions. It mimics a tumor with its presence/appearance and may cause pain, prosthetic loosening, or more severe medical reactions. Stryker’s Mobile Bearing Hip with X3 Advanced Bearing Technology is the only anatomic mobile bearing hip system on the market designed to offer surgeons the benefits of a large head technology without the risks associated with metal-on-metal designs.
This unique Mobile Bearing Hip looks and works differently than a traditional total hip implant. Although both are designed to restore hip stability, Stryker’s Mobile Bearing Hip has two points of movement as opposed to a traditional design with one. The bearing mimics the natural femoral head (top of the thigh bone) and moves freely within the shell, helping to provide patients with greater range of motion while maintaining an increased resistance to dislocation. The acetabular shell (or cup) has a novel anatomic design, which matches the patient’s anatomy to help prevent tendon impingement, which can lead to groin pain.
This Mobile Bearing Hip system is made possible due to Stryker’s patented X3 Advanced Bearing Technology. X3 has shown a 97% decrease in wear compared to conventional polyethylene in laboratory testing. This decrease in wear may extend the life of the hip implant, which is especially important for younger, more active patients.
“Stryker’s Mobile Bearing Hip allows me to treat my entire patient population and provides me with the confidence to help decrease the risk of complications associated with other large head technologies like metal-on-metal. Through its anatomic design and X3 Advanced Bearing Technology, the system addresses implant longevity, dislocation, and groin pain, a big benefit for my patients,” said Dr. Weber.