Surgery Programs: Ceramic Hip

Dr. Kirschenbaum is a leading proponent of the use of ceramic technology is hip replacement to increase the life span of the hip replacement significantly.
We have the longest and largest experience with FDA approved ceramic on ceramic total hips in Westchester.

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Important Ceramic Information

Standard metal and plastic hip replacement wear – 200 particles a year
Metal on Metal – 40 particles a year
Ceramic On Ceramic – Less than 1 particle per year!

Ceramic Technology

What is the Trident® Ceramic Acetabular System?

The Trident® Ceramic System includes the components of an artificial hip joint. While conventional artificial hip systems use an insert made of plastic and a head made of metal, the insert and head of the Trident® Ceramic Acetabular System are made of alumina ceramic (aluminum oxide).

Why should I choose the Trident® Ceramic Acetabular System?

Prior to its availability in the US, the Stryker Orthopaedics Trident® Ceramic Acetabular System and the predecessor Secur-Fit™ ABC Ceramic Acetabular System were implanted in thousands of total hip replacement patients worldwide. Today, US clinical studies and experience demonstrate that the potential benefits of total hip replacement using Secur-Fit™ ABC and Trident® Ceramic Acetabular Systems (as with any total hip replacement) are decreased pain and increased function.

Laboratory testing of alumina ceramic has shown it to have less wear than the metal and plastic materials that are currently used in total hip surgery. Alumina ceramic is extremely hard-in fact, its hardness is second only to diamond-and provides excellent lubrication between the ball and socket. Because of its material characteristics alumina ceramic-on-ceramic demonstrates significantly lower wear versus conventional metal-on-plastic components in laboratory testing. Therefore, it is anticipated that these improved wear characteristics will extend the life of the implants.

As total hip replacement becomes more common in younger and more active patients, and as patient life expectancies continue to increase, the orthopaedic industry is being challenged to extend the life cycle of total hip replacement components. While the conventional plastic (polyethylene) and metal bearing systems have been shown to have excellent results, it has been realized that polyethylene can degrade over time, and that polyethylene may wear out. In recent years, it has been reported that particles from the breakdown of the polyethylene inserts may contribute to bone loss and loosening in the artificial hip joint.

The goals of artificial hip replacement include relief of pain, restoration of function, and correction of deformity. Ceramic-on-ceramic, however,demonstrates significantly lower wear versus conventional metal-on-plastic components in laboratory testing. Therefore, it is anticipated that these improved wear characteristics will result in a longer lasting implant.