Ion levels

June 10, 2003

I know some people are fed up with the subject but 'Geoffrey's favourite subject

is with us again.

For those worried about Ion levels, which I hope is not many, please read on.

We in Europe have many patients with resurfacings and metal on metal THR's. If

there was trouble then I know that several nations would ban their use and would

do it through the EEC. A member state such as Germany can't unilaterally ban

MOM unless they do it illegally - Such is the workings of the EEC. If Germany

had the evidence then can you imagine that they wouldn't publish it. Where is

it? I can't find it!

I can however find a lot of evidence of a factual nature on the following site:

the above site is a European ation in the field of Scientific and

Technical Research dated last year and covers:

Draft Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a European Concerted

Research Action designated as COST Action 533 " Biotribology: Materials for

Improved Wear Resistance of Total Artificial Joints "

It opens:

" Approximately two million artificial joints are implanted in patients every

year, with a commercial value of well over two billion â‚¬. A significant

proportion of these joint prostheses are manufactured in Europe. The short to

medium term performance of artificial joints is good, but long term failure is

due to adverse biological reactions to the wear particles. The cost of

operations in Europe is estimated at ten billion â‚¬ per year, and over ten

percent of these are for revision of worn and failed prostheses. Equally, the

implications of high wearing or failed implant materials are severe as indicated

by recent UK Government Health advisory warnings on zirconia ceramics and

Hylamer polyethylene. Hence there are considerable political, economic, social

and technical reasons to improve the wear performance of biomaterials used in

Joint Replacements. With increasing number of young patients requiring joint

replacements, and increasing lifetime of the elderly population, the performance

requirements, the expected lifetimes and the number of artificial joints

implanted is increasing markedly. "

It is a COOPERATION between several countries including Germany, Britain etc.

and the document states this. In view of this I hardly believe that Germany has

some proof of metal ions and is not revealing this. The Germans are one of the

most up front nations where fact is involved.

PS I have highlighted the warnings on ceramics and polyethylene and this

document also concerns itself on ALL materials

Rog

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