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How Does A Woman Know Which Hip Replacement Implant To Get? - Dr. Bates (VIDEO)

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Dr. Bates explains how a woman can determine which hip replacement implant is best for her.

Dr. Bates:
I think the decision as to what type of bearing surface utilized in a hip replacement is a decision that should be made with both the patient and the physician as there are pros and cons to each of those bearing surfaces, as well as the more traditional metal-on-polyethylene plastic surface.

The ceramic implant has inert particulate matter, i.e., that matter that’s created as a result of the bearing surfaces creates less of a reaction in the body, which is a good thing as that’s what’s thought to be the cause of loosening of the traditional metal-on-plastic implants.

The metal-on-metal implants, as opposed to the ceramic implants, produce small metal particles or metal ions, and those metal ions can build up in the system. They may cause a local inflammatory response on rare occasions, but there’s also the long-term concern of buildup of metal ions in the body that could have some untoward effects in the future. The biggest concern should be something such as a tumor, based on some studies in rats and mice that show that overwhelming amounts of these ions in the system of an animal can cause some oncogenic, excuse me, some oncologic changes, i.e., a tumor could form.

About Dr. Bates, M.D.:
Dr. James E. Bates, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement surgery and sports medicine at Alvarado Hospital. Dr. Bates places his focus in sports medicine and the reconstruction and replacement of damaged bones, joints, and cartilage resulting from sports injuries, traumatic injuries, and tumors of the extremities. He was trained at the Hospital for Special Surgery/Cornell University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. As an orthopedic surgeon, Navy Flight Surgeon, and Navy Diving Medical Officer, he serves as a consultant to the San Diego-based Navy SEAL Teams.

Visit Dr. Bates at the Alvarado Orthopaedic Medical Group

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Hip Fracture

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