It is estimated that 15 percent of joint replacements will fail, which can require revision surgeries.
To find out why, researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., explored why patients who receive joint replacements experience harmful inflammation and bone loss. They published their findings in Nature Materials.
Five things to know:
1. The study found a major contributor to joint replacement failure are microparticles released from the prosthetic devices. These microparticles are believed to promote inflammation.
2. With increased inflammation comes disappearance of bone tissue, loosening of the implant and ultimately failure to affix to the bone.
3. Rutgers discovered white blood cells, known as macrophages, respond to the microparticles, sending signals of harmful invaders. However, the cells die and secrete a specific molecule that can trigger an even stronger immune response.
4. With this research, Rutgers can study other ways to regulate the inflammation and bone degradation related to the released particles.
5. "Bone degradation can occur within 10 to 15 years and often requires complex revision surgery to replace the implant and treat bone loss," said William Gause, lead study author. "However, many people start to experience pain from this inflammation shortly after surgery. They are prescribed medications for the pain, but the loosening continues."