[Wear characteristics of different metal-polyethylene beating surfaces. An experimental study of a new model of knee prosthesis].
OBJECTIVE
Wear of artificial components joint is the most important factor in long term durability. Only few studies have analysed in laboratory experimentation the quality of different alloys on the same type of prosthesis.


METHODS
During the development of a new knee prosthesis, we studied the friction mechanisms of the metal/polyethylene (UHMWPE) couple and particularly the value of titanium alloy (Ti-6AI-4V) treatment using an ionic nitrogen implantation process (IMPLATEC). Two friction surfaces were studied in vitro: one in flexion-extension between femoral component and tibial plateau, the other in rotation between tibial plateau and "metal-back".


METHODS
The implanted Ti-6AI-4V was compared with 316L stainless steel, cobalt chromium molybdenium alloy and with Ti-6AI-4V using a prosthesis of each configuration. The samples were tested on a TRIBOCUP friction machine during 3 x 10(6) cycles in Ringer 's solution. The friction couples were controlled every 200,000 cycles and the loss of polyethylene mass every 500,000 cycles. We have also evaluated the roughness and the rubbing surface macroscopically.


RESULTS
The results analysis shows that friction couples such as Cobalt Chromium and implanted Ti-6AI-4V are weakest but implanted Ti-6AI-4V over time, tends to match the strength of Ti-6AI-4V without treatment. With implanted Ti-6AI-4V and with Cobalt Chromium alloy, the loss of polyethylene is slight comparatively to the stainless steel and non implanted Ti-6AI-4V. Surface analysis showed good protection of titanium alloy by ionic implantation especially in the femoral component where roughness is close (0.04 micron) to that of Cobalt Chromium alloy (0.07 micron).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the results with pin-on-disk and cup-on-ball with results for the Ti-6AI-4V implanted and Cobalt Chromium alloys with protection of the metal surface and decrease of polyethylene wear comparatively to stainless steel and non implanted Ti-6AI-4V.


CONCLUSIONS
Our conclusion is for this type of experimental device that the surface condition is satisfactory for such friction couples as implanted Ti-6AI-4V/polyethylene and Cobalt-chromium/polyethylene, with very similar results. However, the long-term durability of the nitrogen implanted on Titanium Alloy remains unknown.
Farizon
F
F
Centre d'Orthopédie-Traumatologie, CHRU de Saint-Etienne.
Aurelle
J L
JL
Rieu
J
J
Bousquet
G
G
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017276:Friction; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012106:Research; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
D011095:Polyethylenes; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium