A recent survey of 150 orthopedic surgeons found that 25 percent are planning to reduce their usage of metal-on-metal hip implants over the next 12 months, due, in part, to recent reports of metal debris and soft-tissue damage that led to revision surgery in some patients, according to a news release from Millennium Research Group, which conducted the survey.
Reports earlier this year from worldwide media outlets cited concerns over metal-on-metal implants, and DePuy issued a warning letter associated with its ASR acetabular cups. DePuy's and Biomet's metal-on-metal implants have been associated with the highest degree of surgeon satisfaction, according to the release.
Analysts from MRG said the 25 percent represented a small minority of orthopedic surgeons, most of whom were "devoted fans" of metal-on-metal implants due to a better range of motion, low revision rates and overall good success, according to the release.
Read the release on metal-on-metal hip implants.