Hydroxyapatite And Titanium Medical Implant Coatings

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