The latest research on hip replacements finds that women patients face a higher risk of needing a follow-up operation than men.
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds women who undergo total hip replacement surgery face a 29% higher risk of implant failure within the first three years than men. Researchers explain smaller implants involve a smaller ball in the socket which can dislocate more easily. Dr. Monti Khatod, co-author of the study, says that females have a propensity to get smaller implants because of the size of their bones and the size of their structure. The study also showed women who had metal on metal implants had almost twice as many problems as men.
More than 300,000 Americans undergo total hip replacement surgery every year. The overwhelming majority of these operations are successful. Still, experts say the Food and Drug Administration should require more testing on hip implants to find out which ones work best with women's bodies and will last 15 to 20 years.
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds women who undergo total hip replacement surgery face a 29% higher risk of implant failure within the first three years than men. Researchers explain smaller implants involve a smaller ball in the socket which can dislocate more easily. Dr. Monti Khatod, co-author of the study, says that females have a propensity to get smaller implants because of the size of their bones and the size of their structure. The study also showed women who had metal on metal implants had almost twice as many problems as men.
More than 300,000 Americans undergo total hip replacement surgery every year. The overwhelming majority of these operations are successful. Still, experts say the Food and Drug Administration should require more testing on hip implants to find out which ones work best with women's bodies and will last 15 to 20 years.
