The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first ceramic-on-ceramic hip implant for total hip replacement in 2003, providing a solution for active patients who need the procedure to regain their quality of life.

"After almost seven years of clinical trials, the widespread availability of a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surface for hip reconstruction is a real advancement," says Duncan McKellar, M.D., orthopedic surgeon. "I can now offer my patients who suffer from pain and discomfort, an implant option that’s been developed to address their lifestyle."

Each year, about 300,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States, primarily for people over age 60. Physicians often recommend hip reconstruction for patients who suffer from arthritis and related conditions and fail to respond to medication and physical therapy. Hip reconstruction removes diseased bone/cartilage and replaces them with artificial implants that relieve pain and restore function.

"The orthopedic industry is being challenged to extend the life of total hip replacement components to address the needs of younger and more active patients," says Dr. McKellar. "Ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacements provide a significant advancement for improving total-hip-replacement performance."

The technology uses alumina ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surfaces, that in lab testing have demonstrated significantly less wear than conventional technologies. Therefore, these improved characteristics mean longer-lasting joints. In addition, a patented titanium sleeve is used to protect the ceramic material while increasing the insert’s overall strength by 50 percent.