Micro-wear patterns on UHMWPE tibial inserts in total knee joint simulation.
The objective of this study was to examine both simulator and retrieved total knee replacement polyethylene inserts to confirm, using scanning electron microscopy, whether similar micro-wear patterns to those seen on retrieved inserts were reproduced on simulator specimens. The simulator specimens consisted of samples subjected to sliding and rolling movement (Experiment 1) and to sliding movement only (Experiment 2). Samples from Experiment 1 demonstrated longitudinal patterns in the middle of the wear track and transverse patterns in the anterior and posterior ends, whereas in Experiment 2, only transverse patterns were observed. In the retrieved specimens, both longitudinal and transverse patterns were observed. The results showed that the simulator study reproduced similar patterns of micro-damage on polyethylene, and that the longitudinal micro-wear pattern was related to the rolling movement that is distinctive in knee kinematics.
Tamura
Jiro
J
Peterson Tribology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Loma Linda University, San Bernardino, California 92408, USA. jtamura@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac
Clarke
Ian C
IC
Kawanabe
Keiichi
K
Akagi
Masao
M
Good
Victoria D
VD
Williams
Paul A
PA
Masaoka
Toshinori
T
Schroeder
Dave
D
Oonishi
Hironobu
H
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000592:standards*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000592:standards*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013977:Tibia
D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene