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The S-ROM stem and its use with alternative bearings
1Cardinal Orthopaedic Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Orthopedics
|September 30, 2005
Summary
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) shows excellent long-term results, but implant wear is a critical concern. Advances in bearing surfaces aim to reduce wear in this common hip replacement procedure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Medical Engineering
Background:
- Total hip arthroplasty (THA) demonstrates high success rates in long-term studies.
- Implant fixation and bearing surface wear are crucial factors influencing THA longevity.
- Increasing patient lifespan and activity levels heighten the importance of addressing wear in THA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical issue of bearing surface wear in total hip arthroplasty.
- To discuss the advancements in polyethylene wear properties.
- To highlight the trend towards hard bearing surfaces for reduced long-term wear rates.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of long-term total hip arthroplasty studies.
- Analysis of factors affecting implant success, focusing on wear.
- Examination of material science advancements in bearing surfaces.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in improving the wear resistance of polyethylene implants.
- Hard bearing surfaces are increasingly utilized to achieve lower long-term wear rates.
- Wear remains a critical consideration for the enduring success of THA.
Conclusions:
- The long-term efficacy of total hip arthroplasty is significantly influenced by bearing surface wear.
- Ongoing material innovations are essential for enhancing the durability of hip implants.
- The selection of bearing surfaces must balance wear performance with other clinical factors.