Dr. De Smet Discusses Squeaking or peeping noises during recovery after hip resurfacing surgery.

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 hour 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.