While both the Pinnacle and the ASR have caused significant amounts of harm to patients who were implanted with the devices, there are noteworthy differences between the two models including...

Recipients of metal-on-metal hip implants have been forced to deal with scores of side effects resulting from metallosis or chromium and cobalt poisoning. Many of these metal hips have been recalled, although many more are still being marketed and implanted. The process by which many metal hip implants gained approval...

During the years from 1970-2000—and into the first few years of the 2000’s—hip implant prostheses were largely constructed of ceramic, polyethylene, and metal-on-plastic (the longest tried-and-tested bearing). The femoral stems were generally constructed of a cobalt and chrome alloy, while the concave cup liner was made of polyethylene, a type of plastic. The metal-on-plastic components...

Across the globe, some 10% of men and 18% of women over the age of sixty suffer from moderate to severe forms of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage deteriorates, causing injury to the joint and resulting in stiffness, pain and loss of movement as bone rubs against bone.  Aside from age, the most common predictors of osteoarthritis appear to be obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, excess alcohol consumption and injury. Rheumatoid arthritis, in which the joint lining becomes inflamed, is responsible for some hip replacement surgeries as well.