29 - Clinical applications of ceramic-polyethylene combinations in joint replacement

Abstract

Publisher Summary Currently, total joint arthroplasty is widely used as a surgical treatment for serious joint diseases. The Charnley-type Total Hip Prosthesis (THP), which consists of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) socket and a Stainless Steel (SUS) femoral component, has been used since the 1960s and has exhibited good clinical performance. However, THP used for arthroplasty has various problems, including deterioration of the components due to wear and the toxicity of wear debris. The production of wear debris from UHMWPE with subsequent osteolysis around the THP has been recognized as the major cause of long-term (longer than 10 years) failure in total joint arthroplasty. Increase in wear durability of THP is thus needed. It is recognized that use of ceramics such as alumina to replace metallic material such as SUS for the femoral head decreases wear of UHMWPE sockets. The combination of ceramics and UHMWPE has been used not only for hip joints, but also joints of the knee and ankle, and other joints. This chapter describes the clinical application of the artificial joints in combination of ceramics/UHMWPE.