New Implant Technology Under Investigation

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have published an early study on the use of nanodiamonds in joint implants.  The investigators seek to find if the nanodiamonds can improve the metallic interface of the joints, which can often shed debris and cause problems within the body. 

            When metallic debris is created within a joint that has had an implant placed in it, it triggers the body’s immune system.  This can cause a cascade of events, which includes increasing the activity of bone-eating cells near the implant.  When these cells have increased activity, it can cause the implant to loosed, which is a major cause of implant failure. 

            Using a nanodiamond coating, the reaserchers have found, causes less debris to form, which in theory could improve implant success rates.  This is important, because the amount of implants used in America alone is tremendous.  Over 400,000 knee implants and over 325,000 hip implants are placed in Americans every year, not to mention the number of implants used in other parts of the body. 

            Joint implants of the foot and ankle are often used in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, lesser metatarsophalangeal joints, and in the ankle.  Should the nanodiamond technology catch on in the hip and knee implants, it will almost certainly be applied to foot and ankle implants. 

            Much more knowledge of the effect of nanodiamond particles on the body is needed before this technology can be used in humans. While the nanodiamond coating may eliminate the metallic debris that is formed, the constant pressure and grinding forces placed through joint implants can still cause a small amount of the diamond nanoparticle coating to become loose.  The effect of this debris in the body must be known before it can be applied.  Currently, animal models are being used to investigate this. 

            Of course, what is not discussed alongside the research is the cost of such technology.  The cost of using a diamond nanoparticle will almost certainly increase the cost of the implant.  This should be balanced with the increase in success rates seen.  There would need to be a significant increase in implant success rates to begin implementing this technology.  But even if the cost of the implant is increased, if the success rates are in fact much higher, it will most likely decrease the cost of care, lessening the need for secondary and revisionary surgery, and increase the patient satisfaction following surgery.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 
101 6th Street N.W. 
Winter Haven, FL 33881 
Phone: 863-299-4551 
www.FLFootandAnkle.com