title: Squeaking hip arthroplasties: a tribological phenomenon.
abstract: The clinical incidence of squeaking has been reported with increasing frequency, with ceramic-on-ceramic bearings seemingly most affected. This study investigated potential causes of squeaking in hard-on-hard hip bearings through 2 sets of experimental conditions. Bearing clearance appeared to affect the incidence of squeaking in metal-on-metal surface arthroplasties. The addition of third-body particles to the interface for total hip arthroplasties also affected the incidence of squeaking. In both studies, the incidence of squeaking correlated well with elevated friction. The findings of this study suggest that a likely cause of squeaking in the hip arthroplasty is adverse tribological conditions caused by suboptimal lubrication. There are numerous factors that may cause the suboptimal lubrication, and therefore, it is unlikely that an individual cause for squeaking will be identified.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, School of Mechanical Engineering, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brockett
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Zhongmin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Graham H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Isaac
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002516:Ceramics; D017276:Friction; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals; D009622:Noise; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008670:Metals