Information for Medical Professionals

Optimal cup positioning produces less wear

Optimal cup positioning during hip resurfacing has a direct effect on serum ion levels - which have been associated with wear and tear - according to new research.

The researchers behind the new study also showed that the size of a person's femoral head and cup inclination were the only factors that appeared to influence ion levels, reports Ortho Supersite.

They also found that larger joints were more tolerant to variations in positioning.

"Larger joints, it must be emphasised, tolerated suboptimal cup position," orthopaedic surgeon David J. Langton was reported as saying.

"This must be taken into account in all analyses," he added.

Speaking at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Langton concluded that "cups placed with angles between 40 and 50 degrees inclination and ten to 20 degrees anteversion have the lowest ion levels and the lowest rates of volumetric wear."

The researchers looked at 585 blood serum samples in patients who had undergone hip resurfacing surgery.

Earlier this month, research published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery showed that pseudo-tumours are linked to wear and tear in metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty components.

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