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3 July 2025

Chris – The difference a year makes

REAL STORIES FROM REAL PATIENTS


“One year,”

says Chris. “That’s about the time between my hip replacement in 2023 and my competing in the Ironman World Championship in 2024. I went from having so much pain I could barely stand in my kitchen to swimming, cycling, and running 140 miles.”

Chris’s hip pain started around the age of 50. He had always been involved in sports – first as a player, later as a coach and student advisor – and was competing in long-distance triathlons at the time. His hip pain started to interfere with all that.

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The specialist recommended hip replacement with the OR3O◊ Dual Mobility Hip System from Smith+Nephew. The system is designed to enhance stability of the joint1 and is made with OXINIUM◊ Technology, an award-winning2 implant material.

Implants made with the OXINIUM material have been shown to provide stronger surface hardness3,4 and better wear performance5-7 than those made with cobalt chrome, another common material.


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“I trusted my doctor,” says Chris, “and did some research on hip replacement. I knew I wanted to get back to a fully active life, and for me, that meant surgery with the OR3O system.”



Chris’s procedure took place in the fall of 2023. “My recovery and rehab went as planned,” says Chris. “I followed the instructions of my doctor and received great support from my family. By the following spring, I was back into triathlon training.”



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The Ironman World Championship was held in Kona, Hawaii, in October 2024. Chris explains what it was like to cross the finish line that day: “At the age of 53, I wasn’t the fastest guy in the race, but I finished strong and with no pain in my new left hip. It was an incredible experience – and an incredible year!”



Smith+Nephew is proud to support Chris and all patients in their pursuits. Our goal is to provide innovative products and technologies to help patients live a Life Unlimited.
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For more information, Find a specialist in your area with training in Smith+Nephew hip technology.


The patient’s statements represent the individual patient’s own opinions, findings, beliefs, and/or experiences. Individual results will vary. Not everyone who receives a product or treatment will experience the same or similar results; results may vary depending on a number of factors, including each patient’s specific circumstances and condition, and compliance with the applicable Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew is not responsible for the selection of any treatment by a healthcare professional to be used on a particular patient. Smith+Nephew makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or assurances as to the availability, accuracy, currency or completeness of the information presented or its contents. 46153 6/2025



References

  1. Boyer, B; Philippot, R; Geringer J; Farizon F. “Primary total hip arthroplasty with dual mobility socket to prevent dislocation: a 22-year follow-up of 240 hips.” International Orthopaedics (SICOT), 36, 2012, pp. 511-518.
  2. 2005 ASM International Engineering Materials Achievement Award.
  3. Sheth NP, Lementowski P, Hunter G, Garino JP. Clinical applications of oxidized zirconium. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2008;17(1):17-26.
  4. Long M, Riester L, Hunter G. Nano-hardness Measurements of Oxidized Zr-2.5Nb and Various Orthopaedic Materials. 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials. April 22-26, 1998.
  5. Good V, Ries M, Barrack RL, et al. Reduced wear with oxidized zirconium femoral heads. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85:105-110.
  6. Parikh A, Hill P, Pawar V, Sprague J. Long-Term Simulator Wear Performance of an Advanced Bearing Technology for THA. Poster presented at: ORS 2013 Annual Meeting.
  7. Hunter G, Long M. Abrasive wear of oxidized Zr-2. 5 Nb, CoCrMo, and Ti-6 Al-4 V against bone cement. Abstract presented at: Sixth World Biomaterials Congress, 2000.

 

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