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