Why is Oxinium something I should ask my surgeon about?
Oxinium oxidized zirconium is a revolutionary new
material used in the production of components of knee and hip implants
that exhibits superior performance characteristics over commonly
used cobalt chrome due to its superior hardness, smoothness and
resistance to scratching and abrasion. It actually incorporates
the best features of all available material options (ceramic and
cobalt chrome) without the risks associated with either.
What is "wear" in joint replacements?
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.
I didn’t realize that an implant undergoes friction and scratching. What does this do to an implant?
To date, cobalt chrome has been the material of
choice for joint implants because of its strength and relative hardness.
However, studies have shown that cobalt chrome implants roughen
over time when implanted in your body. As a result, every time a
roughened replacement joint rubs against the plastic bearing surface,
the plastic surface begins to wear out. Laboratory studies have
demonstrated that even a single scratch on the cobalt chrome surface
can increase the rate of plastic wear by 10 times. Over time, the
plastic surface wears out, and additional surgery is necessary to
replace the worn implants. Recent studies have proven through controlled
wear testing that a “scratched” or “roughened”
cobalt chrome implant will dramatically increase the production
of plastic wear debris, and substantially reduce the life span of
an implant.
How long will an Oxinium joint replacement last?
Laboratory wear testing has indicated the Oxinium
implants demonstrate the scratch and wear resistance necessary to
be long-lasting – especially as compared to traditional artificial
knee and hip joints. The smooth, hard surface of an Oxinium implant
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 makes Oxinium implants 4,900 times more abrasion
resistant than cobalt chrome. It also reduces friction between
the implant and the plastic or cartilage surfaces. The result is
superior durability over time.
I am in pain, but my orthopaedic surgeon has advised
me to wait for my replacement because I’m too young —
why will an Oxinium joint replacement be different?
In the past, orthopaedic surgeons have advised patients
under 65 years of age to wait to have joint replacement surgery
because the life span of traditional cobalt chrome implants is limited.
Now, with a potentially long-lasting Oxinium knee or hip implant,
surgeons have a viable option for a younger patient who previously
would not have been a candidate for a joint replacement. Therefore,
a younger patient who has advanced arthritis no longer has to suffer
for years until he or she reaches an appropriate age for joint replacement
surgery.
Patients who desire to return to an active lifestyle,
which can include low demand sports, dancing, gardening, or other
activities, may also benefit from Oxinium replacements. They can
have more confidence in the longevity of the device since the Oxinium
material demonstrates such low wear rates. The Oxinium implants
are better able to tolerate activity and may last longer than the
traditional joint replacements.
Are Oxinium replacements proven?
Yes, orthopaedic surgeons have been using Oxinium
joint replacements for more than eight years, in over 20,000 patients,
with great success. In addition, the Oxinium material and Oxinium
joint replacements have been rigorously tested to meet regulatory
and testing guidelines and must pass strict quality control measures
prior to use.
How can an Oxinium replacement help if I am allergic to metals?
Because the Oxinium material is one of the most
biocompatible metals known to man, immune systems are easily able
to tolerate a new implant. The Oxinium material is the best choice
in knee replacement materials for patients who exhibit metal allergies.
It is the orthopaedic metal that does not contain nickel, the leading
cause of negative reactions in patients with metal allergies. (For
metal-allergic hip replacement patients, ceramic may be a suggested
option, but ceramic does not exhibit the same strength as an Oxinium
implant.) Patients who have needed joint replacement surgery, but
could not tolerate traditional implants due to their nickel content,
can now have the surgery they need to return to an active lifestyle
with less fear of an allergic reaction.
What is the new Oxinium material, how is it made?
First, zirconium alloy metal is shaped into an implant
component. Second, the implant is put through a patented process
that allows oxygen to absorb into the zirconium metal. When the
surface of the metal is saturated with oxygen, it changes from a
metal to a ceramic. It is this ceramic surface that gives the Oxinium
material the significant advantages over cobalt chrome. Because
only the surface is changed, the rest of the component is still
metal, and therefore the implant retains its overall strength.
Can Oxinium implants be used with new, minimally-invasive approaches?
Yes. Smith & Nephew has pioneered the development of minimally-invasive instruments and techniques which can be used with all Oxinium hip and knee implants.
For more information on minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, visit Knee Replacement Info.
For more information on minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, visit Hip Replacement Info.
How do I find a surgeon who is using Oxinium replacements?
Call the toll-free information line, 1.877.OXINIUM
or visit our Surgeon
Locator to find a surgeon near you who is using Oxinium replacements.
Ask your surgeon as well – he or she may already be using
Oxinium replacements.
Could the scanning device at the airport security
gate react to the metal of my OXINIUM joint replacement?
OXINIUM joint replacements will likely cause airport metal
sensors to react, as they respond to metal, whether it is
magnetic or not. Though the surface of OXINIUM material is ceramic,
the zirconium-based alloy, which is similar to titanium, will trigger metal
sensors.
It is best that you make the security staff aware of your joint
replacement. Allow additional time before your
flight, as security will need extra time to verify that the
metal in your joint is the only metal you are carrying.
If you travel by plane or are planning to travel
by plane you might ask your surgeon if he/she has a Smith &
Nephew patient ID card stating that you have an artificial
hip or knee implant.
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