MDA (UK Medical Devices Agency) looks at femoral head faults
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The UK Medical Devices Agency (MDA) has issued guidelines on the use of ceramic femoral heads in hip replacement operations, in response to the continued "periodic reports of fractures". While in most cases it is impossible to determine the reason for the fracture, the MDA believes that best practice can substantially reduce the risk. The MDA highlights four areas of current malpractice, namely: inappropriate combination of designs or manufacturers of the femoral heads, stems and cups; inappropriate surgical technique or accidental damage; revision surgery malpractice (such as taper damage); and steam-sterilisation of zirconia heads.