The new technology may extend the life of hip joint prostheses, informs BBC News / Health.
Artificial hip joints are a very good solution – unfortunately, not forever. Although made of materials as durable as ceramics and titanium, they are not enough for life – especially if they are implanted in a young person. Particularly troublesome is the loosening of parts attached to the living bone, which can happen after several years. The cause is the soft tissue around the metal parts. Stem cells contribute to this.
According to Dominic Meek, an orthopedic consultant at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, artificial hip joints have become a victim of their own success – they are being implanted in an increasing number of young, active patients.
A Scottish team of biologists, nanoengineers and surgeons have developed a technology that should make the hip joint last for the rest of its life.
Scientists want to coat the most important surfaces of dentures with a plastic nano-pattern to encourage stem cells to form bone when they come into contact with the new joint. The special pattern of nanodots made of polymer abbreviated PEREK (polyaryletherketone) causes the formation of bone around the implant, not soft tissue. As a result, the risk of loosening is reduced.
The prototype is to be ready in the coming years. The technology can also be used in prostheses of other joints – for example knee ones – and in the fight against osteoporosis (PAP).
pmw/ tot/