Repeat joint replacement not needed with hormone therapy

Women who have had a hip or knee replacement surgery can benefit from hormone therapy which might cut their risk of needing another surgery in the same joint by nearly 40 percent, according to a new study.

An additional procedure in about two percent of women who have a hip or knee replacement surgery is needed within three years because of a complication known as osteolysis.

The British researcher explained that osteolysis happens when tiny pieces of implant seep into the tissue around the implant. It causes inflammation that destroys the bone around the implant.

"There is evidence that drugs like hormone replacement therapy, used usually to prevent osteoporosis and fractures, might have a beneficial effect on implant survival in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement," said lead researcher Dr. Nigel Arden, director of musculoskeletal epidemiology at the University of Oxford in England.

"These findings must be confirmed in further studies, but they are consistent with previous reports by our group showing an association between use of other drugs that have similar effects on bone and the risk of implant revision [surgery]," he said.

It was previously reported that taking hormone replacement therapy can put women at an increased risk for heart diseases and cancer. Since the risk of a second surgery is small, women are concerned whether or not it's worth starting hormone replacement therapy at all.

"Indeed, this is only a small added benefit of hormone replacement therapy. However, it is a relevant piece of information for women who have received a total knee or hip replacement and are considering hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms," Arden said.

The report was published online Jan. 22 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Source: Health Day Reporter

Image: Shutterstock

Read more Health News.

For more such stories, Download Onlymyhealth App.