Fwd: Ceramic on ceramic THR

December 5, 2000

Dear Andy:

Your question about the stem loosening in the tibia is a good one. I would

suggest that you get a professional opinion rather than mine. I am getting

the Implex device which has the Hedrocel metal. I'll quote an article I have

on the implant. Hedrocel is a unique highly porous material made with

strength properties similar to, or exceeding, that of bone. Its physical

appearance resembles cancellous bone and its stiffness characteristics are

similar to the stiffness of living bone. With this material, Implex intends

to produce devices that address clinical needs not currently met by existing

products.

Implex presently offers the Continuum Knee System and the Contunuum Hip

System which includes the Elliptical Hedrocel Cup. Several thousand Hedrocel

cups have been implanted into patients in the United States and Europe, so

far with excellent reported clinical results. Further product offerings,

based on trauma devices, bone replacements, sports injury repair devices as

well as more reconstructive devices.

The Implex principal office is located at 80 Commerce Drive, dale, New

Jersey 07401 and the telephone number is

On a personal note, I truly believe that this ceramic on ceramic from Implex

is what I call my BMW 8 series. Nothing on the market seems to compare and I

hope to get a life time of use out of this hip with no problems as far as

loosening of the stem. I don't know where you live but the surgeon who is

doing my operation is in San Diego at Orthopedic Medical Group. His name is

Dr. Coutts, MD and his phone number is . Again, I am

going to be on a clinical trial for this device but I firmly believe it is

the best for me. The three other surgeons I spoke to about the resurfacing

basically said it was not a long lasting device and risky. I actually saw a

revision to a THR by Dr. Mc Pherson of USC Center for Arthritis and

Joint Implant Surgery who had the hemi surfacing. So if I can be of any more

help with information let me know. Good luck on your quest for a new hip.

Sincerely,

Jana Escher

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