Can an artificial hip squeak?

This question made me think of the question, “If a tree falls in the middle of a forest and no-one is there to hear it, does it make a noise?” I’m not sure why I thought about it though!

A joint replacement is made of man-made products, metal, plastics or ceramic; these joint parts are fit into each other to work like the real thing should. However, like most man-made objects, joints can fail. And, it seems when they’re ceramic, they can squeak.

While it may seem amusing for someone’s hip to squeak, it could be annoying and frustrating. And worse, they could cause worry or anxiety about how safe or strong the joints may be.

You can read more about this in a NY Times article, That Must Be Bob. I Hear His New Hip Squeaking. You need an account to read NY Times articles, but it’s a free sign up, if you’re interested.

Image: Newscom

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