Tribology in joint replacement

Basic theory and principles of engineering tribology are outlined, with particular reference to artificial joints in Section 2.1. Important concepts relating to bearing surfaces, contact mechanics, friction, lubrication and wear are also reviewed in this section. A comprehensive summary and discussion then follows for both theoretical (Section 2.2) and experimental (Section 2.3) tribological studies of artificial joints, including hip implants with different bearing surfaces such as a polyethylene cup (conventional and crosslinked) against a metallic or ceramic head, metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic material combinations as well as other novel combinations including ceramic-on-metal and ceramic-on-poly-ether ether ketone (PEEK). Knee implants are included. Issues of tribology in artificial joints are also discussed, together with a summary and section on future developments in Section 2.4. Section 2.5 contains details of further information on this topic.