Types of Artificial Joints
Artificial joints are highly specialized and incredibly precise feats of engineering. They are made from materials that are incredibly durable and resistant to wear and tear, and are designed in a way that will allow them to move freely for many years, while taking the use and stress of everyday life. Joint replacement in New Jersey offers many different options when it comes to the devices that are being used and the materials they are made from. An orthopedic surgeon can help to find the perfect implant device with exactly the right characteristics for any patient’s application.
What Materials are used to Construct Artificial Joints?
There are a number of different materials that can be used in the construction of artificial joints, depending on the requirements of the situation. Some joints need to have more strength than others, while some need materials that are more resistant to wear and tear. For hip implants, metal and plastic models are the most popular. In this case, both the ball and socket parts of the joint would be replaced with metal pieces. Then a plastic piece is inserted between the two metal parts to allow for smooth operation. This is an example of a very basic and very popular type of implant. The metals used in this sort of implant are typically either titanium, cobalt chrome, or stainless steel while the plastic is typically polyethylene. The disadvantage of this sort of implant is that the plastic will wear slightly, depending on how much the joint is moved.
Metal on metal joints are another option that many patients choose. These joints use the same type of metal that metal on plastic joints use. Though metal wears less than plastic there are some side effects with this type of joint. As the metal wears, it releases metal ions into the blood, which have been detected elsewhere in the body. Further, there is not much proof that these types of implants actually last longer than their metal on plastic counterparts.
A third type of implant that utilizes ceramic materials is the most resistant to wear and the smoothest in operation. While ceramic materials do offer some advantages, many surgeons have expressed concerns that these devices could break inside the body as ceramic is not as strong as some metals.
The technology involved in the manufacturing of plastic is always moving forward and as it does, new plastics that are more durable and more resistant to wear are constantly being created. These types of plastics are being used more and more in medical devices.
Most implants also require a special cement to be used to hold the pieces in place. This biocompatible cement forms a strong bond with existing bones yet is not harmful to the body and will not cause side effects.
What are some of the Requirements of these Materials?
Any materials used in a surgery of any type must be 100% biocompatible. This means that they must not have any adverse effects on the body such as poisoning or triggering an immune response. Not all materials live up to these standards and as a result, not all materials can be used in joint replacements.
The materials used to construct replacement joints must be strong and resilient. This is the main qualification of anything used to replace a joint. No patient wants to have to undergo another operation to repair or replace their joint a second time so it’s important that these joints last! They must be able to withstand the weight that will be placed on them as well as the daily stress from impacts and other motions. Just as normal joints must be able to withstand heavy use, replacement joints must be tough enough to take some use and abuse and keep moving correctly.
Further, these materials must not break down overtime or make deposits in the body. As some materials wear, they may create splinters or dust, which would then be free to float around in the joint or travel to other parts of the body. This is unacceptable and materials that are used in joint replacement must not wear and break down in this way
What Materials are used to Construct Artificial Joints?
There are a number of different materials that can be used in the construction of artificial joints, depending on the requirements of the situation. Some joints need to have more strength than others, while some need materials that are more resistant to wear and tear. For hip implants, metal and plastic models are the most popular. In this case, both the ball and socket parts of the joint would be replaced with metal pieces. Then a plastic piece is inserted between the two metal parts to allow for smooth operation. This is an example of a very basic and very popular type of implant. The metals used in this sort of implant are typically either titanium, cobalt chrome, or stainless steel while the plastic is typically polyethylene. The disadvantage of this sort of implant is that the plastic will wear slightly, depending on how much the joint is moved.
Metal on metal joints are another option that many patients choose. These joints use the same type of metal that metal on plastic joints use. Though metal wears less than plastic there are some side effects with this type of joint. As the metal wears, it releases metal ions into the blood, which have been detected elsewhere in the body. Further, there is not much proof that these types of implants actually last longer than their metal on plastic counterparts.
A third type of implant that utilizes ceramic materials is the most resistant to wear and the smoothest in operation. While ceramic materials do offer some advantages, many surgeons have expressed concerns that these devices could break inside the body as ceramic is not as strong as some metals.
The technology involved in the manufacturing of plastic is always moving forward and as it does, new plastics that are more durable and more resistant to wear are constantly being created. These types of plastics are being used more and more in medical devices.
Most implants also require a special cement to be used to hold the pieces in place. This biocompatible cement forms a strong bond with existing bones yet is not harmful to the body and will not cause side effects.
What are some of the Requirements of these Materials?
Any materials used in a surgery of any type must be 100% biocompatible. This means that they must not have any adverse effects on the body such as poisoning or triggering an immune response. Not all materials live up to these standards and as a result, not all materials can be used in joint replacements.
The materials used to construct replacement joints must be strong and resilient. This is the main qualification of anything used to replace a joint. No patient wants to have to undergo another operation to repair or replace their joint a second time so it’s important that these joints last! They must be able to withstand the weight that will be placed on them as well as the daily stress from impacts and other motions. Just as normal joints must be able to withstand heavy use, replacement joints must be tough enough to take some use and abuse and keep moving correctly.
Further, these materials must not break down overtime or make deposits in the body. As some materials wear, they may create splinters or dust, which would then be free to float around in the joint or travel to other parts of the body. This is unacceptable and materials that are used in joint replacement must not wear and break down in this way