Artificial hip receives FDA approval as alternative to total hip replacement
By: Associated Press | ∞
WASHINGTON -- A replacement hip that conserves more of a patient's bone than do traditional artificial hips has received federal approval and should be available this summer, the manufacturer said Wednesday.
The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System uses a cap to replace only the head or ball atop the thigh bone, while adding a cup to replace the damaged surface of the hip socket, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The cap moves within the cup, their highly polished metal surfaces rubbing against one another, to mimic the natural movement of the hip.
Traditional hip replacements remove more of a patient's bone. This new system allows younger and more active arthritis patients to have hip replacement surgery to relieve hip pain and improve hip function, while still leaving the option open for more traditional replacement surgery later in life, according to the FDA and Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic Reconstruction, a Memphis, Tenn.-based division of the British manufacturer of the device.
The Birmingham Hip has been implanted in 60,000 patients in 26 countries, according to the company.
In 2003, the most recent year for which data were available, 325,000 people in the U.S. had either a partial or total hip replacement, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
On the Net:
Food and Drug Administration information on the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p040033.html
Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System: http://www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com/
More Stories
- Medicare Part D: May 15 deadline looms; so do penalties for latecomers
- Study: Four out of 10 medical malpractice cases are groundless
- Artificial hip receives FDA approval as alternative to total hip replacement
- Advocates try to "be there" for hospital patients
- I Did It! Lost 224 pounds: From 'One Big Dog' to 'Big Dog No More'!
Advertisement
- OCEANSIDE: Killer may be granted parole (6596)
- RANCHO BERNARDO: Cyclist hit by car was retired Navy captain, avid athlete (5925)
- SOLANA BEACH: Pregnant woman, fetus killed in I-5 hit-and-run (5174)
- CHARGERS: Sproles carries Bolts to playoff win over Colts (4342)
- ENCINITAS: Carlsbad has questions about Encinitas shopping center plan (3939)
Advertisement