With the growing success of joint replacement surgeries, patients have become accustomed to certain indignities related to having a metal replacement part in a hip, knee or shoulder. For example, they tend to set off airport metal detectors and attract attention of security personnel. Now, there’s more.
The Mayo Clinic Biomechanics Laboratory report released at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons sheds light on the potential causes of the squeak, thus guiding means of eliminating it. The sound is associated with implants made of a material known as alumina ceramic-on-ceramic — and is audible to the person with the implant and those nearby.
After 11,000 cycles of tests in a mechanical simulator that reproduced the flexion and extension motions of the hip, Mayo Clinic investigators concluded that:
• Squeaking occurred when the film fluid between the two moving surfaces was disrupted.
• Disruption could be caused by the presence of particles that originate from wear and tear, or from imperfect alignment or positioning of implant surfaces.
• Squeaking occured especially quickly under highest pressure on the artificial joint.
• Once squeaking started, it didn’t stop — and was constant at all frequencies tested.
According to Robert Trousdale, M.D., the lead Mayo investigator: “Adding a small amount of lubricant solved the problem in the lab. Our research is helpful because it can be applied to devising a solution to the squeak problem. Most likely that will consist of improving the design of implants so they have less chance of material transfer and disruption, which appears to be an important aspect in the basis of the squeak.”
In addition to Dr. Trousdale, the Mayo research team included Drs. Kai-Nan An and Christophe Chevillotte.
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Trousdale.
I have a metal on metal that is not cerimac but now is impinged and have metolyis requiring a revision after only 8 years. I am only 46 and have had a THA and revision on right hip. Had a metal on metal on left that was suppose to last 20 years now needs revision. Any suggestions
I have had a metal on metal hip replacement only 4yrs ago that just started to squeek, and bad to people all around me hear it. What have you learnt since this posting about it if anything. ANy knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Has anyone tried joint pills/medicine to lubricate the implanted joint?
Has anyone tried joint pills/medicine to try to lubricate the implanted?
I have metal on metal – I beleive a combination of titanium and cobalt and the squeaking just started in my left hip. Had both done about 6 years ago – 3 months apart. I’m 54 now.
Any help appriciated.
Tom
Wish I could reply with a suggestion but my circs and metal THR hip sound identical, metal on metal, titanium & I believe cobalt. I had it done in 2007 and this week it started squeaking like you wouldn’t believe, does anyone know if or what the NHS can do for it? I’m fifty and can’t have this for the rest of it’s life. I thought it might last 15 to 20 years with care…
Did you learn of anything? Mine just started squeeking today and Im freaking. How do they lube it if that’s the case? metal on metal is crap. i hear ceramic is the way to go. ??
Have had a ceramic left hip about 6 yrs now started to squeeking 2 yrs after getting it when I stand in one spot for a long time then move it gets very loud .
Truely and sincerely! I thought this Hip business was gonna last me for at least 20 years! What’s happening? Am I hearing things or is my hip really making squeaky sounds? I had bilateral THR ceramic on ceramic 5 years ago… What’s next???
i am a 57 yr old female. i had hip replacements 5 yrs ago,I have been squeaking for about 5months. I am seeing my surgeon this Wednesday. Has anyone found a solution to this problem?
I have had two hip replacement,left hip 8/06…successful! right hip 03/07…not so much…I have numbness, swelling, pain and it started squeaking…amusing at first…now it’s almost constant. I hate going in to stores alone…it’s embarrassing!!! What can I do???
If you feel your symptoms are bad enough, you need to be seen by a hip surgeon. Dr. Trousdale
Dr Trousdale,
thanks for this information.
We are in Sydney Australia. My partners THR is one of the squeaky problem ones.He was told will prob go away in 6 mths- that was 18 mths ago
Can you tell me if you recommend or know reputable Sydney Orthapedic surgeon/ clinic who has dealt with this problem or is at least aware of it. Not happy with surgeon who performed op as he did not mention this as a possible complication and had no good explantion for the squeak.
Really appreciate your explanation – sheds more light on the squeak than we have been able to find out so far.
Thanks
Karen
Karen,
We’ll forward your comments. Glad you found the information helpful.
And one more quick question.
My partner finds the squeak sometimes stops occaisionally for a very short time. He will expreience what he calls “his leg going to Jelly and almost falling over” and when that happens the squeak disappears for a while. Have you heard of anyone else with the same ???
I had an MoM THA in 2007. Likley the only reason mine doesn’t squeek all of the time that I still have to use a cane all of the time so a lot of the pressure is kept off the operated hip. I am now up to using 2 canes. (Only needed 1 before THA.) I had my Co and Cr levels tested in 2011 – they were somewhat elevated. I just had them retested – awaiting results. (Combo DePuy Summit/Pinnacle implant.) I can’t say that I am pleased to have been used as a unpaid guinea pig without having been informed that MoM implants were never properly tested and that they were just making up “facts” about how they were so trustworthy and so harmless based on how non-MoM implants worked. Jonas Salk tried his polio vaccine on himself and his family before releasing it to the public. DePuy researchers who designed the MoM implants and their families should have ASRs and Pinnacles implanted to show how they think they are so great. My implant doesn’t squeek all of the time, but it does go “clunk” at times and feels like the ball is running out of socket to rotate in.