RESEARCH - Taking statins after primary total hip arthroplasty may substantially lower revision risk

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Taking Statins After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty May Substantially

Lower Revision Risk

Medscape Medical News

Fowler Larson

May 13, 2010 — Patients who take statins after primary total hip

arthroplasty (THA) may greatly reduce the risk for revision surgery,

according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Bone

and Joint Surgery, American Volume.

The most common reasons for revision after THA — one of the most

frequently performed orthopaedic surgical procedures — are aseptic

loosening of prosthetic parts, infection, dislocation, and fracture.

Statins are generally prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. However,

recent experimental clinical studies have indicated that statins may

also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties and may be

related to enhanced endothelial function. Evidence of these effects is

growing.

" In some, but not all, observational studies, these potential

beneficial effects of statins on bone health have been confirmed in

terms of a decreased fracture risk and increased bone mineral density

among statin users, " write Theis Thillemann, MD, of the Departments of

Orthopedics and Clinical Epidemiology at Aarhus University Hospital,

Aarhus, Denmark, and colleagues. " Moreover, experimental studies have

described positive effects of statins on conditions mimicking the

course of aseptic loosening of orthopaedic implants. "

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/721744

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