HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
You have the opportunity to "Ask the Doctor" a question with help from FOX 26 anchor/medical reporter Melissa Wilson. This week, Wilson learned about help for worn-out joints. One FOX 26 News viewer wanted to know about advances in knee replacements. Dr. Vishal Shah from Richmond Bone & Joint, Memorial Hermann Medical Group explains how new technology is helping them last almost twice as long.
Doctors hope this information will make a big difference for the 800,000 patients who undergo hip and knee replacements every year. Dr. Shah told us about the difference between a conventional knee replacement and the newer version of a "thirty year knee."
"The thirty year knee is an evolution of materials we use in knee replacements so the weak spot, or thing that wore out in conventional knee replacements, was the surfaces that are moving against each other," explains Dr. Shah. He says it's a big surgery and a big expense, so patients don't want to have to undergo it several times.
Dr. Shah tells us the biggest difference is the material the new replacements are made out of. While they used to be made out of metal alloy, the new version is comprised of oxinium. He describes it as a hybrid material that wears more like ceramic, thus the long life span. New technology also allows doctors to customize each implant for every individual patient. That means there is no longer "one size fits all", which also allows them to wear down less and last longer.
The new technology is covered by most insurance companies. Doctors say they're performing the procedure on younger patients now and not postponing the procedure until later in life, since it lasts so long.
Another positive thing about this newer version of implants is they're considered "hypoallergenic." Dr. Shah says before, a lot of people would realize they have a metal allergy (often nickel) after they received the implant. They'd often have to have it removed. Now that the cobalt version has been replaced with the oxinium component, there are much fewer allergic reactions. This is available for hip and knee replacements.
To learn more about the options available through Richmond Bone and Joint, which is now a part of Memorial Hermann, visit http://www.rbjc.com/index.aspx?gclid=CMfGpbr_h7ICFYio4AodhAsANQ
Also, to "Ask the Doctor" a question, just send Melissa Wilson a tweet or message on Facebook: @MelissaFox26 or https://www.facebook.com/MelissaWilsonFOX26
