Joint replacements are the #1 expenditure of Medicare. The process of approving these medical devices is flawed according to the Institute of Medicine. It is time for patients' voices to be heard as stakeholders and for public support for increased medical device industry accountability and heightened protections for patients. Post-market registry. Product warranty. Patient/consumer stakeholder equity. Rescind industry pre-emptions/entitlements. All clinical trials must report all data.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Graphite carbon found in metal-on-metal hip implant study

NIH researchers uncover clues related to metal-on-metal hip implants

"Graphite carbon is a key element in the lubricating layer that forms on metal-on-metal hip implants.  The lubricant has more in common with the lubrication of a combustion engine than that of a natural joint."

  • research is relevant to several hundred thousand Americans undergo hip replacement each year 
  • typical life of implant is more than 10 years but material improvement is needed for patients younger than age 60
  • prior to this study, it was thought that proteins from the body entered the joint and adhered to the implant 

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