See below for links relating to hip replacements.
For older links to articles and videos please select the tab Links (2015 and prior) to the left on this page.
Please see also the tabs to the left providing links to articles from MRHA, TGA, News coverage, Knee replacements and Papers.
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external websites.
Questionnaire for people with metal-on-metal hip replacement
Questionnaire about people's experiences with metal-on-metal hip implants.
Andy Murray undergoes hip resurfacing surgery in London.
This article published in The Telegraph discusses Andy Murray's 'Birmingham Hip' operation.
India’s Supreme Court approves settlement amounts for J&J hip patients
Article published in MassDevice.com: India’s Supreme Court last week reportedly approved a compensation plan for patients there who were implanted with a since-recalled metal-on-metal hip made by Johnson & Johnson. Depending on age and disability level, patients implanted with the DePuy ASR replacement hip between 2004 and 2010 are eligible for payments of between ₹3 million to ₹12.2 million ($42,390 to $172,413), the Financial Express reported.
$400 Million Settlement Reported in Johnson & Johnson Hip Lawsuits
Orthopedics This Week discusses that Bloomberg reported that Johnson & Johnson is willing to pay more than $400 million to settle thousands of claims that the company sold defective artificial hips and hid the dangers of the devices from consumers.
Early Reviews of Zimmer Biomet/Apple’s mymobility app
Approximately two months ago, Zimmer Biomet announced the mymobility app which is meant to walk patients through pre- and post-op large joint arthroplasty care. Article published in Orthopedics This Week.
Sydney man receives ceramic hip in world-first surgery study
A Sydney man is one of the first in the world to receive a new ceramic hip that is designed to overcome issues with metal-on-metal implants for hip resurfacing operations. Article published in 9News.
"The dramatic rise and fall of metal-on-metal hips exposed the flaws of both the U.S. and European systems."
Article published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists discusses how 'Patient Hopes Rise And Fall As An Industry Balances Progress And Profit'.
American Joint Replacement Registry Releases 2018 Annual Report
The AJRR report has been released.
How to Research a Device, by Medical Device Problems
Five steps to researching medical devices. Published in The Bleening Edge.
Medical registry to help avoid repeat of J&J case
An independent registry (in India) is in the offing to track implantable medical devices that could pose a risk to patients.
"FDA Releases Medical Device Guidance for 2019"
hat guidance can you expect from the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) for 2019? Risk-benefit determinations, unique device identification and 510(k) program expansions, to name a few.
Hip and knee surgeons to use Apple Watch to monitor patients
Published by Reuters.
The 2018 National Joint Registry has been released.
Hip stir. How faulty hip implants have been slowly destroying lives
Article published in TheWeek.
Voluntary recall doesn’t imply hip implant was faulty, says J&J
DePuy International, a unit of J&J, says the company's actions concerning the product were 'appropriate' and 'responsible'. Published in LiveMint.
Faulty hip implants: ‘I loved playing volleyball. Now, it’s a challenge to walk’
Vijay Vojhala, whose complaint led to a nation-wide inquiry, reveals his ordeal. Published in Mumbai Mirror.
Failing medical implants are causing hundreds of thousands of people misery
Article authored by Prof. Tom Joyce and published in The Conversation.
Global Orthopedics Market to Grow to $66.2 Billion by 2023
Largest market segments in 2017 were spine devices, hip and knee reconstruction implants, and trauma fixation. Article published in Orthopedics Design and Technology.
Indian State to Provide Free Joint Replacements
Article published in Orthopedics This Week.
Nearly 1700 requests for knee and hip surgery were rejected in England last year
Increasing numbers of patients seeking knee or hip surgery are finding they can’t have operations on the NHS, an investigation by The BMJ has found.
Glimmer of hope after years of pain for Kiwis sold faulty hip replacements
Dozens of Kiwis sold a dangerously faulty hip implant, may have a new avenue to seek justice, after years of pain and frustration. Article from the Newshub.
Everybody active, every day: framework for physical activity
This is an evidence review on muscle and bone strengthening and balance activities showing major health benefits in adults and older adults published by GOV.UK.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients' Joint Replacement Frequency Halved Between 1997-2010
This Orthopedic Design and Technology article discusses a study demonstrating that joint replacement procedures have significantly reduced in RA patients in the past decade.
Kennedys secures major ruling for manufacturers and insurers in landmark group litigation
DePuy International Ltd’s ULTAMET® Metal-on-Metal (MOM) Articulation, a total hip replacement prosthesis, is not defective under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (the Act), the High Court has ruled today in a decision likely to affect many hundreds of other claims against manufacturers of MOM hip implants in the UK and the EU generally.
By way of conclusion of the project and to share some of the experiences, a series of videos has been produced by LLJ.
State of Musculoskeletal Health 2018
ARUK have collected the best available data on the prevalence, risk factors, comorbidities, and impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the UK, so you can understand more about the number of people living with and affected by these conditions.
Large dataset for assessment of joint replacements
Dr. David Lunn, Prof Richard Hall and Prof Tony Redmond talk about @lifelongjoints and how using the data could improve preclinical testing.
Three physios will help form NICE guidelines on hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement
Three physiotherapists have been appointed to the committee that will formulate guidelines on hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement. (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.)
Medical Device Safety Action Plan: Protecting Patients, Promoting Public Health
FDA Medical Devices: The FDA is modernizing measures to improve the safety of medical devices while continuing to create more efficient pathways to bring lifesaving devices to patients.
ARUK: Making arthritis a public health priority in England
After years of partnership working between Arthritis Research UK and Public Health England (PHE), musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions will be one of its new priority programmes. It is believed that this commitment will help many people across England living with arthritis.
BOA statement: Response to NHS England Figures 12.04.18
NHS England figures show number of people waiting over 18 weeks for trauma and orthopaedic surgery highest since records began.
The Mysterious Case Of 'Vanishing Bone' And Hip Replacements Gone Wrong
Dr. William Harris discusses his new book 'Vanishing Bone: Conquering a Stealth Disease Caused by Total Hip Replacements' with npr.
Studies Show Optional Joint Replacements Cost Americans $8.3 Billion
In the US research (JAMA study) shows patients considering a hip or knee replacement need better education about treatment alternatives and procedure costs. Article published in medtruth.
Hip and Knee Replacements: A Neglected Potential Savings Opportunity
A viewpoint published in JAMA discussing hip and knee replacements in the US.
New osteoarthritis genes discovered
In the largest study of its kind, nine novel genes for osteoarthritis have been discovered by scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators. Results of the study are published in Nature Genetics.
How safe is your medical device? Even regulators may not really know
This is a CBC White Coat, Black Art episode discussing the medical device indusrty.
Article published in Orthopedic Design and Technology.
Exactech Receives 510(k) Clearance for Equinoxe® Stemless Shoulder
Exactech has announced it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market the Equinoxe® Stemless Shoulder, a bone conserving and canal sparing prosthesis that is compatible with the Equinoxe® Shoulder System.
American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) report to the public
Download the AJRR 2017 Report to the Public About Hip and Knee Replacements
FDA rules allow medical device makers to keep injuries under wraps
Critics point to delays and loopholes in the way adverse events are reported to the FDA. Report published in StarTribune.
Article published in the BMJ. Recent MHRA guidance for the surveillance of people with metal-on-metal hip replacements are onerous, costly, and insufficiently evidence based, argue Gulraj Matharu and colleagues.
What is appropriate surveillance for metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty patients?
This is a paper published in Acta Orthopaedica and considers the various investigative modalities used during surveillance of large diameter metal-on-metal hip joints, with specific focus on blood metal ion sampling and cross-sectional imaging.
NICE are developing a guideline on hip, knee & shoulder joint replacement. The draft scope describing exactly what the guideline will cover is now available and NICE would like your views on it.
ARUK: The impact of arthritis: 'It has robbed me of everything I'd hoped to do' – video
400,000 adults, of all ages, live with rheumatoid arthritis in the UK. But what’s it like to live with an inflammatory condition? (Guardian.)
Failing medical implants are causing misery to thousands
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Tom Joyce discusses the best ways to test and approve new medical implants.
'Billion Dollar Baby': Lawsuits over profit, pain and the hip implant some call 'toxic'
abc7 news article on the Depuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip joint.
Metal-on-metal hip replacements: implications for general practice
Many GPs will be unaware of the problems associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements because GPs have presently received limited or no correspondence from secondary care. Paper published in the British Joural of General Practice.
Hip replacement "ticking time-bomb" for "thousands" of Washington patients
Kiro 7 news article on the Biomet Magnum metal-on-metal hip replacement.
Can Exercise Prevent Knee Osteoarthritis?
This Medical News article discusses whether sedentry lifestyles contribute to this increasingly prevelant degenerative joint disease.
AOA National Joint Replacement Registry
The 2017 Australian Joint Registry is now available. Lots of excellent data on how implants are performing.
Osteoarthritis is 1 of 4 causes associated with the greatest losses of quality of life due to health in the UK.
The role of national registries in improving patient safety for hip and knee replacements
The serious adverse events associated with metal on metal hip replacements have highlighted the importance of improving methods for monitoring surgical implants. Article published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Robin Ling, who has died aged 90, was an orthopaedic surgeon at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic hospital in Exeter whose contribution to hip surgery resulted in an improved quality of life for millions of people.
Failing medical implants are causing hundreds of thousands of people misery
Most most medical implants are approved on the basis of “substantial equivalence”. In other words, if your new implant is substantially equivalent to an implant already on the market, then it likely gets approved. Is this the correct way? Article in The Conversation authored by Prof. Tom Joyce.
Old age is not for taking it easy. Elderly must exercise to keep health costs down, say experts
Article published in The Telegraph.
Making Patients and Doctors Happier — The Potential of Patient-Reported Outcomes
The New Englan Journal of Medicine report: Measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with standardized questionnaires is one way of getting quantitative measurements of functional outcomes, symptoms, and quality of life.
Number of joint replacements set to soar by 2030
It is good news we are living longer but it could mean a huge increase in the number of people needing replacement of their painful worn out knee joints, says European Knee Society president Chris Dodd. (Health Awareness).
Arthritis: Learn more about this condition and how it can affect various parts of the body
An American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery article.
The Musculoskeletal System: The Science of Staying Active into Old Age
How will ageing affect your joints, bones and muscles? This free online NIHR course tells you all you need to know.
Changes to Australian Medical Device Recall Process Set for Early 2018
Australian medical device regulators will implement changes to their recall requirements for medical devices and other healthcare products in January 2018.
Novel Knee Surgery Utilizes Patient’s Regrown Cartilage Cells
MACI s the first FDA-approved product that regrows knee cartilage cells on scaffolds. Reported in Orthopedic Design and Technology (ODT).
NJR's 14th Annual Report is now published with information, data and analyses on hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement surgery.
FDA quality pilot aims to streamline device review process
The FDA is piloting a new scheme for high-risk medical devices that removes the need for preapproval inspections in return for making more information on device quality available early on. FiercoBiotech article.
BOA statement: Response to Never Events
As reported by the Telegraph, NHS Improvement have published provisional figures of the occurrence of Never Events between April 2016 and March 2017. During this period, there were 424 reported Never Events, including 178 operations on the wrong body part or patient, 109 foreign objects left inside patients after the operation, and 49 wrong implants or prostheses, of which 24 were incorrect hip or knee implants.
FDA clears NuVasive’s updated spine implant system for scoliosis
FierceBotech reports on this FDA clearance.
FierceBiotech: Smith & Nephew, Imperial College to develop knee surgery techniques
Smith & Nephew has inked a three-year partnership with Imperial College London to develop better surgical techniques for soft tissue injuries of the knee, including injuries to the meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament.
Medical devices: EU regulations for MDR and IVDR
What you need to know about the new EU Regulations for medical devices (MDR) and in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR).
Launch of our new patient and public involvement handbook
Have you thought about involving people with arthritis in your research but aren’t sure how to go about it? Have you been looking for examples of good patient and public involvement (PPI)? Arthritis Research UK are delighted to announce the publication of their new handbook, Patient and Public Involvement – a Researcher’s Guide (PDF 8.2 MB), which can answer all of these questions and more.
The American Joint Replacement Registry has published a new report.
BOA statement: Arbitrary Barriers – Rationing of Orthopaedic Services
Recent British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) statement on Arbitrary Barriers. The BOA is strongly opposed to arbitrary barriers being imposed to limit the number of patients receiving orthopaedic services.
Cobalt toxicity after early metal-in-metal hip replacements
Paper published in 1975 discussing cobalt toxicity after metal-on-metal THR.
MHRA Updates Alert on Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued an alert to healthcare professionals with updated recommendations for long-term follow-up for patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements.
The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and British Hip Society (BHS) welcome the update issued by the Medicine and Healthcare Devices Regulatory Authority (MHRA) regarding the metal-on-metal hip implants.
Smith & Nephew recalls Modular SMF, Modular Redapt hip implants
Smith & Nephew recently recalled its Modular SMF and Modular Redapt hip implants “due to a higher than anticipated complaint and adverse event trend” with the modular necks used in the devices.
How you can maintain bone health as you age
Article published by OrthoInfo
Medical devices face tougher premarket testing under new EU laws
BMJ: The European Parliament has passed new legislation to tighten regulation of medical devices that will require high risk devices, such as hip implants, to undergo more premarket testing and assessment.
Getting active for better musculoskeletal health
Article on gov.uk discussing the need to change how we view musculoskeletal conditions with a focus on prevention, early detection and treatment using the life course whole systems approach.
A paper published in JBJS.
Explant analysis of the Biomet Magnum/ReCap metal-on-metal hip joint
Our paper open-access paper published in BJR.
Northern Retrieval Registry Inaugural Conference 3 May 2017 at The Baltic, Gateshead-Newcastle
Examination of explanted medical devices can identify factors associated with their clinical success or failure. This conference brings together a number of recognised experts in the fields of surgery, medicine and bioengineering to discuss how explant analysis can improve patient healthcare.
Registration open now.
Regarding medical implants, "What you can do now to meet new EU regulations"
New European regulations covering medical devices will be final in June. This article discusses an interview with the Director for Regulations and Industrial Policy at the industry association MedTech Europe in Brussels, John Brennan, about how the new rules will hit orthopedics and implant manufacturers.
A Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research article.
Recall of the ASR XL Head and Hip Resurfacing Systems
In the future, closer monitoring of new implants is needed to prevent high failure rates, as seen with the ASR design. This article was published in Orthopedics.
Article published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Smith & Nephew Issues Recalls for Hip Implants
FDA report that Smith & Nephew has recalled its Modular SMF and Modular Redapt hip implants due to an unprecedented complaint and adverse event trend with the modular necks used in the devices.
Complications of Wear or Corrosion of Chrome-Cobalt Hip Implants
Presentation given by Stephen Tower.
Reporting suspected side effects makes medicines safer.
2016 Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry
The 2016 Australian Orthopedic Association registry is now available.
Don’t Take Osteoarthritis Lying Down
Article published in the New York Times discussing osteoarthritis.
Patients should be more involved in decisions about their care, says NICE
A new collaborative, made up of the UK’s leading health care organisations including NICE, has set out plans that will help get patients more involved in decisions about their care.
Summary of the key facts about joint replacement (2015/2016).
NJR's 13th Annual Report has been published.
NHS: Health apps to inform patient records
BBC article. Data from approved health apps will feed directly into personal health records, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.
Registries are an asset for patients and an ally for surgeons
Orthopaedic registries are still emerging within Europe. The Scandinavians have the longest track record with registries. The National Joint Replacement Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man is the largest in the world. Finally, a U.S. registry is emerging, as well. These increased numbers of registries will foster greater global collaboration concerning common implant problems.
Why ‘Useless’ Surgery Is Still Popular
It looks as if the onus is on patients to ask what evidence, if any, shows that surgery is better than other options. New York Times article.
Delays in NHS treatment puts early inflammatory arthritis patients at risk
A report published by HQIP (Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership).
UK government report: Future of an ageing population
Foresight report looking at the challenges and opportunities of an ageing society.
Wright Medical to sell its hip/knee unit for $33M
Wright Medical Group, which merged with Tornier last autumn, announced the divestiture of its large joints business to Corin Orthopaedics for €29.7 million ($33 million) in cash.
Arthritis Statistics Infographic - Did you know...
Arthritis Care's article gives key statistics about arthritis in the UK.
FDA approves first cartilage implant for osteoarthritis
Article in FierceBiotech. Cartiva has won an FDA premarket approval for its cartilage implant to treat osteoarthritis at the base of the big toe. It is the first synthetic cartilage implant approved by the FDA.
Bioelectronic device improves rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in first-in-human trial
A trio of collaborators announced that clinical trial data showing that an implantable neuromodulation device improved symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The results may also have an impact on patients with other inflammatory diseases, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Crohn’s disease. This article published by FierceBiotech gives more detail.
Hip Implants—Metal Wear Impairs Bone-Forming Cells' Function
Release of metal ions from metal-on-metal pairings can create concerns for patients. Article published in Orthopedic Design and Technology.
Maximising impact in orthopaedic research
There are some 8.5 million people in the UK affected by orthopaedic problems. This article discusses the need for funded researc to be directed towards more meaningful and translational outcomes that lead to effective treatments, products and services for patients.
Metal hips implanted in last decade more prone to failure
Highlighting the increasing number of hips that were manufactured outside the stated specification - with more than a third of hips manufactured to the wrong size – our research team, at Newcastle, said this may be to blame for the high failure rate of this implant.
Metal-on-metal hip replacements implanted since 2006 'more prone to failure'
Report on itv.com. New research has suggested that metal-on-metal hip replacements implanted since 2006 are more prone to failure.
The first hip-replacement on the NHS is still intact - making Norman, 91, a world record breaker
A man who had the first hip replacement on the newly-founded NHS in 1948 is now a world record holder – because those hips have survived to this day. Published by the Western Daily Press.
Summary of key facts about joint replacement (2014/2015)
Poster produced by the NJR.
The information on the number of young people undergoing primary hip surgery is misleading. What recent reports have failed to highlight is that percentage of patients under-60 years undergoing hip replacement has not changed as a proportion. There is consistently around twenty per cent of patients each year under-60.
The FDA has faced reports of problems with metal-on-metal hip implant devices for years. Regulators think that "there is insufficient evidence and information" that would ensure the "safety and effectiveness of these devices," the FDA said on its website. So the agency issued a final order this week that requires companies to submit a premarket approval (PMA) application for two types of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices.
Have you experienced a snapping hip?
Snapping hip is a condition in which you feel a snapping sensation or hear a popping sound in your hip when you walk, get up from a chair, or swing your leg around.The snapping sensation occurs when a muscle or tendon (the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone) moves over a bony protrusion in your hip.Although snapping hip is usually painless and harmless, the sensation can be annoying. In some cases, snapping hip leads to bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint.
MHRA – Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Altogether ASR patient support group
BOA – British Orthopaedic Association
Joint Action. Keeping People Mobile
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
New European regulations covering medical devices will be final in June