Femoral Head Donation Information for Hip Replacement Patients

 “ I recently had a total hip replacement carried out at the Mount Hospital WA. I was very pleased to receive an information leaflet about the Perth Bone & Tissue Bank from my surgeon Mr Michael Alexeeff and also one from a friend.

 It gave me the utmost pleasure to become a donor and realise that in some small way I could be of use to others.”

 Hilary Monks – Femoral Head Donor

What is a bone bank?
The Perth Bone Bank is a not-for-profit organisation that is responsible for the collection, screening, storage and distribution of donated human bone and tissue grafts for transplant purposes. We also conduct research to ensure that the grafts we supply are of the highest standard.

Surgery which requires bone graft is common and the demand for graft material continues to grow.  Your donation can assist people who need surgical procedures such as spinal surgery for adolescents, hip and knee revisions, bone tumours, and repair of bone defects.

What is Femoral Head Donation?

The femoral head is the ball part of the hip joint, and is normally removed during hip replacement surgery. With your consent, this bone can be donated to the Bone Bank and stored for transplant.

How can I become a bone donor?
Bone donation is voluntary and does not in any way alter how your hip replacement surgery is performed. There is no age limit, and no cost to you.

Your Surgeon or the Hospital needs to refer you to our Donor Liaison staff, who will contact you to explain the donation process to you and assist you to complete the required documentation.

You will be required to complete a femoral head donation questionnaire (similar to the one required for blood donation). This form is available at the surgeon’s rooms, hospital pre admission clinics, or from the Perth Bone and Tissue Bank. Once you have completed the questionnaire, it must be signed by you. This form must then be mailed to the Bone Bank.

It is a legal requirement that we have your permission to collect your bone and to conduct the required laboratory tests. Our Donor Liaison staff will interview you over the telephone and record your consent at the completion of the interview. An Interpreter service is available on request for your convenience.

If you would like to become a femoral head donor, or would like further information about bone donation, call our Donor Liaison on Freecall 1800 801 997.

What questions will I be asked on the consent form?
All the questions in the consent form relate to your medical and social history.  These questions are necessary to enable us to obtain a full medical history from you, and to assist us to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to patients who may require bone grafts.

Occasionally we may need to contact your GP to obtain further medical history.

What if I change my mind about donating?
You can withdraw at any time if you change your mind or have any concerns about the process.  Simply notify the Donor Liaison.

No questions will be asked.

Reasons why people may be excluded from donating
Unfortunately not everyone is able to donate.

History of the following may exclude from donation:

• Having lived in the United Kingdom (UK) for 6 months or more between 1980 and 1996, including having made frequent visits during this time which add up to 6 months or more;  or having had a blood transfusion in the UK since 1980 (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, commonly known as Mad Cow’s Disease).
• Malignant cancers including skin cancers such as Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Basal Cell Carcinoma and some Cervical cancers are accepted).
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Osteoarthritis is accepted) Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma, Ankylosing Spondolysis or other autoimmune disorders.
• Type 1 Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
• Patients who have received any of the following: an organ transplant , corneal graft, and human derived growth hormone.
• Hepatitis B or C, HIV (AIDS)
• Sexually transmitted disease within 1 year.
• Paget’s disease.
• Neurological disorders: Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Myasthenia Gravis and Parkinson’s Disease.
• Intravenous (IV) non-prescribed (illicit) drug use within the last 5 years.
• Confinement in a prison or detention centre, for more than 72 hours within the last 12 months.

What happens after I donate bone?

If you agree to donate your femoral head when you have your hip replacement, blood and bone samples will be collected and tested in the laboratory.

Your blood is tested for a range of diseases which include:

• Hepatitis B & C
• Syphilis
• HIV (AIDS)

Microbiology and histopathology tests are conducted on the bone samples.

Your bone will be sent to us and is stored in a frozen state in quarantine for 6 months until a follow up blood test has been taken.

We will contact you to arrange the follow up 6 month blood test which is a necessary part of the donor process. This blood is collected at your convenience, either at home, at work, or at your local pathology service. Country residents may visit their Doctor, local hospital or pathology service to have the blood specimen collected.

If there are any abnormal tests identified, your Doctor will be advised.

Your bone will be released for transplant only when results of the follow up blood test are received.