Medications to treat brittle bones could reduce the HALF of hip replacements that need to be redone,
- Medication to treat osteoporosis could halve the number of hip replacement surgeries
- Scientists have discovered that the drug denosumab could help protect the hip bone
- It is estimated that 8,500 hip review procedures are performed each year in the NHS
A drug used to treat osteoporosis could halve the number of hip replacement surgeries, scientists said yesterday.
It is estimated that 8,500 hip review procedures are performed each year at a huge cost to the NHS.
Repetition procedures, which increase the risk of infection and other complications, are also less effective than the first surgery.
A drug used to treat osteoporosis could halve the number of hip replacement surgeries as scientists have discovered that the drug denosumab could help protect the hip bone (stock image)
But scientists have found that the drug denosumab, which is already used to treat bone diseases, could help protect the hip bone and drastically reduce the number of surgeries.
Professor Mark Wilkinson, who led the University of Sheffield study, said it was “good news” for younger or more active patients who tend to wear the plastic part of the implant more quickly.
He said a primary hip replacement costs around £ 6,000 and overhauls of up to £ 18,000.
The main reason for hip reoperation is osteolysis, a disease that eats bone tissue and causes it to weaken and dissolve.
The main reason for hip reoperation is osteolysis, a disease that eats bone tissue and causes it to weaken and dissolve.
The disease occurs after joint replacement surgery when small particles of the implant wear out, causing the body’s immune system to attack the already weakened bone.
This causes the artificial joint to loosen, causing pain and eventually requiring revision surgery.
The team found that administering denosumab to patients could have a “big impact” on thousands of patients undergoing review surgery each year.
The trial, which involved 22 patients at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, found that denosumab killed about 90 percent of the cells responsible for bone loss in patients due to a revised hip surgery.
Professor Wilkinson added: “It is very clear from our bone biopsies and bone images that the injection prevents the bone from absorbing the micro-plastic particles from the replacement joint and therefore could prevent the bone is eaten and the need for revision surgery.
“We now look forward to conducting a much larger Phase 3 clinical trial and looking for opportunities to continue this groundbreaking research that could revolutionize the way we treat patients at risk of needing a secondary joint replacement.”