Wear of orthopaedic implants and artificial joints

Although hip, knee and other orthopaedic implants are well-established prostheses, much remains to be understood about how these implants wear in use. This important book reviews the causes and prevention of implant wear. Part one discusses fundamental issues such as tissue response to wear, the anatomy and biomechanics of hips and knees as well as the materials and design issues they raise for hip, knee and other types of orthopaedic implant. Part two considers wear phenomena in a range of materials, including ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE), metal and ceramic joints. It also covers surgical and other factors influencing wear as well as ways of detecting, analysing and predicting implant wear and failure.