An innovative coating for hip implants that helps the artficial hip adhere to the bone can prevent premature failure in hip replacement operations, according to new research.

Follow-up or revision surgery following complicaitons or problems with the implant can happen with hip replacements.

However, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) believe that the newly-invented coating may reduce the need for revision operations for those with implants

Researchers Dr Paula Hammond of MIT, sais the coating would would allow the implant to last much longer, to its natural lifetime, with a lower risk of failure or infection.

The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials.

According to Arthritis Ireland many people with arthritis find that having joint replacement surgery leads to a dramatic reduction in their pain, and an improvement in their quality of life.

"However, complications with these procedures are not uncommon so any innovation that may reduce the need for further surgery is very welcome."