| Hydroxyapatite (HA) and titanium are now more than | | | | hydroxyapatite coating. The choice of coating is a |
| ever used as coatings for joint replacement implants | | | | matter of personal preference as all coatings are |
| and dental implants. HA and titanium promote bone | | | | successfully used by clinicians around the world. |
| ingrowth between the joint implant and the patient's | | | | Although, hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings can help jump |
| bone itself. This ingrowth allows for a sturdier implant | | | | start the integration process in dental implants, reducing |
| that precipitates less pain and recovery time when | | | | recovery time. As a result, dental implants coated with |
| compared to traditional implants that contain cement. | | | | hydroxyapatite are becoming an increasingly popular |
| What follows is a list of the most common types of | | | | choice when placing an implant. |
| implants for which HA and titanium are used as implant | | | | L-Vertebrae: Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) is one |
| coatings and the benefits that these coatings | | | | of the most common causes of lower back pain in |
| specifically provide for each implant. | | | | adults. Many patients discover relief from pain caused |
| Finger: | | | | by DDD by pursuing nonsurgical methods such as |
| Joint replacement is recognized as a treatment option | | | | therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and weight loss. |
| for large joints which have been severely damaged by | | | | For patients who don't experience adequate pain relief |
| arthritis. Most people are unaware that when small | | | | through nonsurgical treatments, lumbar fusion has long |
| joints such as those found in fingers become painful, | | | | been a common surgical treatment for alleviating lower |
| deformed and/or limited, relief can come by replacing | | | | back pain. While lumbar fusion can be an effective |
| the joints with titanium and hydroxyapatite coated | | | | treatment, it severely restricts motion and it does not |
| implants. Since full function is not restored, finger | | | | always provide pain relief. Porous titanium coatings |
| implant surgery is not considered the first choice of | | | | have allowed many medical device manufacturers to |
| treatment, but for those who do make the choice, the | | | | develop new, FDA approved artificial disk replacement |
| reduction of pain due to arthritis is often significant. The | | | | options. Artificial disks can reduce lower back pain |
| surgery is most valuable for patients who will regain | | | | while also allowing the patient to retain spinal motion. |
| function and who will benefit greatly from achievable | | | | Disks coated in titanium become firmly fixed in bone |
| pain relief. | | | | just weeks after the operation and typically allow for |
| Ankle: | | | | reduced pain and greater range of motion. |
| Total ankle replacement is an option for patients with | | | | Elbow: Until recently, patients in need of implant surgery |
| severe arthritis. Similar to hip and knee replacement | | | | to relieve the pain that comes along with elbow arthritis |
| surgeries, total ankle replacement involves removing | | | | received elbow prostheses that require cement for |
| the arthritic ankle joint and replacing it with an implant. | | | | bone fixation. In fact, despite the increased use of |
| Total ankle replacement was developed in the 1970's | | | | hydroxyapatite and titanium as implant coatings, |
| with limited success. The older implants often loosened | | | | cement implants are still fairly common. Hydroxyapatite |
| or malfunctioned and frequently needed to be | | | | coatings achieve greater bone ingrowth than do |
| removed. Today, manufacturers have developed a | | | | cement implants. Increased bone ingrowth makes for a |
| porous titanium implant coating that has made ankle | | | | more durable implant that allows for increased range |
| replacement surgery a more viable option. Typically, | | | | of motion and less pain. |
| the implant consists of two titanium end plates with a | | | | Shoulder: Arthritis of the shoulder joint causes damage |
| refined polyethylene center. When the end plates are | | | | to bone and cartilage. If left untreated, the damage can |
| coated with titanium or hydroxyapatite, the coating | | | | cause a great deal of pain. Shoulder implant coatings |
| allows the implant to mimic the motion of a natural | | | | are currently made of a variety of materials, including |
| ankle. Prior to total ankle replacement surgery, the only | | | | titanium, cobalt chrome, ceramics and pyrocarbons. |
| surgical option for patients with disabling arthritis was | | | | Pyrocarbon is a very lightweight material that is |
| fusion, which completely restricts the patient's ankle | | | | preferable to traditional steel coatings which are heavy |
| motion. | | | | and bulky. Implants coated with titanium are lightweight |
| Hip | | | | and have a similar consistency to that of bone. |
| Total hip joint replacement is an orthopaedic success | | | | Shoulder implants coated with advanced materials |
| story, enabling hundreds of thousands of people to live | | | | exhibit exceptional bone ingrowth qualities which gives |
| fuller, more active lives. Using metal alloys, high-grade | | | | the implant superb strength and the patient increased |
| plastics, and polymeric materials, orthopaedic surgeons | | | | range of motion. |
| can replace painful, dysfunctional joints with highly | | | | Knee: Recent advancements in titanium coating |
| functional, long-lasting prostheses. Hydroxyapatite and | | | | characteristics have allowed medical manufacturers to |
| titanium coatings allow for cement-less implants and | | | | develop knee implants that exhibit superior bone |
| promote bone ingrowth between implant and human | | | | ingrowth to traditional implants. It is the porosity of |
| bone. Today, the top performing designs all have | | | | titanium that allows for bone ingrowth and thus makes |
| porous titanium and hydroxyapatite surfaces that | | | | it ideal for knee replacement implants. Improved bone |
| make for stronger implants and shorter recovery | | | | ingrowth reduces recovery time and increases range |
| times. | | | | of motion in knee replacement patients. |
| Dental: | | | | Hydroxyapatite and titanium implant coatings have |
| Dental implants are available uncoated, with a titanium | | | | made joint implant surgery a more viable, less painful |
| plasma sprayed (TPS) coating and with a | | | | option for many people suffering from joint pain. |