Orthopaedic implants and arthroplasty

Hip arthroplasty replaces a damaged or arthritic hip joint with a prosthetic implant, restoring mobility for hundreds of thousands of patients each year, and the surgery's long-term success depends heavily on the materials and mechanics chosen for the bearing surfaces that carry load with every step. Metal-on-metal implants were once favored for their durability, but microscopic metallic wear particles released over time can trigger bone loss around the implant—a process called osteolysis—and in some cases elevate cobalt levels in the bloodstream to concentrations that harm soft tissue, the heart, and the nervous system. When implants loosen, fracture the surrounding bone, or cause adverse tissue reactions, revision surgery is required, a far more complex procedure than the original replacement and one associated with higher complication rates. Active research is now focused on identifying which patients and implant designs are at greatest risk of early failure, refining minimally invasive surgical techniques to protect surrounding tissue, and developing bearing materials that minimize wear without introducing systemic toxicity.

Works

123,181

Total citations

1,753,129

Keywords

Hip ArthroplastyTotal Hip ReplacementWear ParticlesMetal-on-Metal BearingsOsteolysisImplant Failure