Oxinium Hip and Knee Implants

What is OXINIUM Implant?

Oxinium Oxidized Zirconium (Oxinium), starts from a metal alloy primarily composed of Zirconium. Through a specific manufacturing process, the material is "ceramicized," offering the smoothness and wear resistance of ceramics without sacrificing the strength and durability of metal. In short, these are all important considerations to a potential joint-replacement patient that prefers an ideal implant material designed with strong construction, offers low wear and unmatched durability, and is considered a hypoallergenic, biocompatible material cleared by the FDA for 30 years of implant lifespan.

For Example:
Cobalt chrome implants are of strong construction, but they contain the metals cobalt, chromium, and nickel. These metals are known to cause an inflammatory response in the body and are also susceptible to scratching or corrosion, both of which can cause premature wear and ultimately implant failure.

Ceramic implants have a smooth surface, but ceramic-on-ceramic implants can sometimes cause an audible squeaking sound, noticeable by patients. They also carry the risk of brittle fracture, which can lead to the shattering of ceramic material in the body.

The difference is that OXINIUM Technology achieves twice the surface hardness and more corrosion resistance than cobalt chrome. OXINIUM contains virtually zero cobalt, chromium, and nickel, thereby lessening the chance of implant rejection or failure due to patient metal allergies.

At Baxter Health, our Orthopaedic Surgeons are ready to discuss the benefits of OXINIUM knee or hip implants by Smith+Nephew. Feel good about your implant - and everything in it!