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Dr. De Smet Also called peeping, called by
Dr.De Smet the "peepcreep". The squeaking noises
are produced due to a temporary lack of
lubrication, a dry running of the metal-on-metal
prosthesis. It sounds as a non-lubricated
creaking hinge of a door. The duration of the
noise is normally less then 24 hours, and a
one-time incidence.
It starts when the patient has an increase or
change in activities. Stair climbing always
generates or increases the noise. Possible
provoking activities: mountain climbing,
mountain walking, chopping wood.
It does not occur any more 2 years after
surgery. Two year is the time interval that
equals the running in period of a metal-on-metal
friction couple. Running in means that the
prosthesis is polishing itself. Immediately
after surgery, the lubricant (lubrication film)
between the 2 components of the prosthesis is
blood. This will change to serum with our own
proteins after a while. The percentage of
patients where squeaking noises appear is about
1.5%.
It is a benign incident that goes away
spontaneously and do not need any panic. Let it
know to your surgeon for statistical reasons!
Listen to Peepcreep here on #9
video.
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