Research published in the Value in Health journal from the hip implant prosthesis study at the University of Bristol Medical School in the United Kingdom identified the most cost-effective implants for hip replacement surgery.
The researchers used a Markov model to compare the cost effectiveness of a number of implants against small-head cemented metal-on-plastic implants. The probability of patients needing one or more revision surgeries was estimated from an analysis of over 1 million patients in Swedish and U.K. hip joint registries.
Here are the key details to know:
1. The research found cemented metal-on-plastic hip replacement are the most cost effective in men and women older than 65.
2. For those younger than 65, small-head cemented ceramic-on-plastic hip replacements are more likely to be cost effective.
3. Modern uncemented ceramic-on-ceramic and uncemented ceramic-on-plastic are more expensive than older versions of cemented metal-on-plastic implants.
4. Metal-on-plastic implants are the most common bearing surface material used in the U.S., as well in Sweden, Norway and Australia.