OXINIUM Total Hip

OXINIUM◊ Technology for Total Hip Replacement

What is OXINIUM◊ Technology?

If it is determined that an implant made with OXINIUM◊ technology is right for you, the femoral head or ball of your implant will be made from OXINIUM◊ Oxidized Zirconium - a patented ceramicised metal alloy that Smith & Nephew spent more than a decade developing.

During manufacture, OXINIUM◊ implants undergo a process that transforms the zirconium surface into a hard, ceramicised metal - while still retaining all of the durability of the underlying metal. This means that it won't fracture like a true ceramic, yet its ceramicised surface is more than twice as hard and therefore twice as resistant to the kind of scratching that can cause a cobalt chrome implant to wear out before its time.1

An OXINIUM◊ femoral head is typically combined with a liner made of highly crossed-linked plastic (XLPE). The combination of these materials is known as VERILAST◊ Technology.

Important safety notes

Hip replacement surgery is intended to relieve hip pain and improve hip function. However, implants may not produce the same feel or function as your original hip. There are potential risks with hip replacement surgery such as loosening, fracture, dislocation, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Longevity of implants depends on many factors, such as types of activities and weight. Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping unless your surgeon tells you the bone has healed and these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if you do not follow your surgeon's limitations on activity level. Early failure can happen if you do not guard your hip joint from overloading due to activity level, failure to control body weight, or accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment may be best for you.

References

Zardiackas, Lyle D., Kraay, Matthew J., Freese, Howard L, editors. Titanium, Niobium, Zirconium, and Tantalum for Medical and Surgical Applications ASTM special technical publication; 1471. Ann Arbor, MI: ASTM, Dec. 2005

All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.