Bearing Surface Choice: A South American Experience

The overall utilization of total hip arthroplasty in South America is expected to increase substantially during the next decades due to the absolute increase in population, longer life expectancy, expansion of indications to younger patients, the increasing number of surgeons, and greater willingness of the patient to undergo a joint replacement. For the young and more active patient ceramic-on-ceramic and ceramic-on-polyethylene are the most widely used bearing surfaces in South America. The associated higher costs and revision rates should be taken into account by the health policy systems, so that disparities are decreased and access is not threatened.