A common issue with knee or hip replacements is
what surgeons refer to as “wear.” Any time two moving
parts (like the two parts in your knee joint or hip socket) rub
against each other repeatedly, friction occurs and tiny scratches
can result, causing tiny fragments of material to come off over
time. This effect – not unlike the action of a fingernail
file – is a main reason a joint may “fail” and
an individual will undergo repeat surgery.
The Oxinium material has proven to be a superior metal for use in the production of knee and hip implants due to its hardness, smoothness and resistance to scratching and abrasion.
This superior strength results in less wear than cobalt chrome (historically the material of choice for knees) and more toughness than ceramic (an alternative material for hip implants).
Several key technical facts you will be interested in:
- The Oxinium material incorporates the best features of ceramic and cobalt chrome without the risks associated with either.
- The Oxinium material is the result of a process that allows oxygen to absorb into zirconium metal, which changes only its surface from a metal to ceramic.
- The ceramic surface reduces friction between the implant device and the plastic component or cartilage, meaning less potential for wear and a device that should last longer.
- The Oxinium material is harder than commonly used cobalt chrome, and with only the surface changing during the manufacturing process, the rest of the implant remains metal to maintain its overall strength.
- The Oxinium material is 4900 times more resistant to scratching than cobalt chrome for superior durability over time.
- The Oxinium material contains no detectable nickel, the leading cause of negative reactions in patients with metal allergies.
For you, this means…
- You can now discuss replacement surgery with your orthopaedic surgeon well before the age of 65 because of an Oxinium device’s anticipated longevity.
- If you have been a physically active person, you can have the utmost confidence in Oxinium implants since the Oxinium material demonstrates such low wear rates.
- If you are allergic to metals, you can feel safe about an Oxinium implant because it is one of the most biocompatible metals known to man.
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