Information for Medical Professionals

Statins could cut hip replacement risks

The use of cholesterol-combating drugs, known as statins, could cut complication rates in patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery, it has been claimed.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, revision rates are reduced significantly in patients taking statins.

The Danish researchers behind the new paper claimed that the results show that statins could "play a role in the sustainability of hip implants".

Lead author and fellow of the department of orthopaedic surgery at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, Theis Thillemann, said: "The survival of a hip implant is related to many different mechanisms.

"Statins have been associated with improved bone metabolism, improved anti-inflammatory effects and improved prognosis after infections."

He claimed that because the majority of hip replacement patients are over the age of 60, many have chronic conditions for which they take long-term medication.

Earlier research published in the journal showed that a person's medical history weighs heavily on the efficacy of surgery.

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