Metasul® in the News
New hip repair promises durability
By Laurel Campbell, Post staff reporter
The Kentucky Post
November 23, 1999
www.kypost.com
Karen Warner of Bracken County this month became one of the first Americans to get the latest-version hip replacement system, a newly approved design that promises to last at least twice as long as typical implants.
That is especially good news for Ms. Warner. She's just 33 years old, and could have faced up to two more hip implants in her lifetime.
"Typical implants have a life span of 15 years, so you have to tell younger patients they'll have to have them revised at least once or maybe twice," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Larkin, who did Ms. Warner's surgery at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Edgewood.
"Each time you do a revision (replacement), there is a risk of infection. And the length of time the prosthesis lasts tends to decrease," Larkin said. "The best chance you have is the first time."
Hip replacement systems consist of a metal ball moving within a cup, or socket. The sockets are typically made of the hard plastic polyethylene. But polyethylene can wear over time, causing microscopic particles to break off and settle around the implant.
The body's immune system rejects the plastic debris, which can cause osteolysis, a bone deteriorating condition.
As the bone deteriorates, the hip implant may become loose and need to be replaced.
The new hip implant, named Metasul by manufacturer Sulzer Orthopedics, reinforces the plastic cup with a metal liner.
The metal ball interacting with the metal socket reduces wear, Sulzer claims. The Food and Drug Administration approved Metasul for American use in August. The metal-on-metal implants have been used in Europe for more than 10 years.
"I have been waiting until this product came out because I have several patients who fit the right profile for this type implant," said Larkin, who has an office in Crestview Hills. Larkin has worked previously with Sulzer on developing total knee replacements and instrumentation.
Ms. Warner suffered a fractured pelvic bone in a car accident when she was 15 years old.
"Over the years, it deteriorated," Ms. Warner said. "It got to the point I couldn't sleep at night or sit for periods of time because of the pain."
Ms. Warner had no health insurance for the operation. She was assisted by Kentucky's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps adults overcome disabilities so they can return to work. Ms. Warner was out of bed and walking the same day of the surgery, Nov. 3.
She's recovering at the home of her boyfriend, Ron Steffen, in Cold Spring and taking physical therapy three times a week at St. Elizabeth.
The Metasul implant is more expensive than others on the market, Larkin said. "But compared to another operation, it's nothing," he added.
The information presented was prepared independently by various newspapers/publishing companies with the assistance of surgeons, hospitals, etc. who have used the Metasul product.
