Oxinium

Oxinium or Oxidized Zirconium is a material used in medical implants, specifically in joint replacement surgery. It is a metal alloy that is treated to create a surface layer of oxidized zirconium. This surface layer is extremely hard and smooth, which reduces the amount of wear on the implant.

History

Oxinium was developed by Smith & Nephew, a global medical technology business. The company introduced Oxinium in 2001 for use in their hip and knee implants. Since then, it has been used in hundreds of thousands of joint replacements worldwide.

Properties

Oxinium has several properties that make it ideal for use in medical implants. It is extremely hard and smooth, which reduces the amount of wear on the implant. It is also biocompatible, meaning it is not harmful to living tissue. Additionally, Oxinium is resistant to corrosion, which is important for an implant that will be in the body for many years.

Use in Joint Replacement Surgery

In joint replacement surgery, the damaged parts of a joint are removed and replaced with an implant. The implant is designed to replicate the movement of a natural joint. Oxinium is used in the manufacture of the implant components that come into contact with each other as the joint moves. These components need to be hard and smooth to reduce wear and tear.

Advantages

The use of Oxinium in joint replacement surgery has several advantages. The hardness and smoothness of the material reduce the amount of wear on the implant, which can extend its lifespan. This is particularly important in younger patients, who are likely to outlive their implant and require revision surgery. Additionally, because Oxinium is biocompatible, there is less risk of an adverse reaction to the implant.

Disadvantages

While Oxinium has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages. The material is more expensive than traditional implant materials, such as stainless steel or titanium. This can make implants made from Oxinium more expensive. Additionally, while the hardness of Oxinium reduces wear on the implant, it can also make the implant more brittle and prone to fracture.

See Also

• Joint replacement
• Smith & Nephew
• Medical implants

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