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Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer
Published on: September 28, 2015
Retrieval analysis of squeaking alumina ceramic-on-ceramic bearings
W L Walter1, S M Kurtz, C Esposito
1Specialist Orthopaedic Group, Suite 1.08 Mater Clinic, 3-9 Gillies Street, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales 2065, Australia. bill.walter@hipknee.com.au
Abstract:
This multicentre study analysed 12 alumina ceramic-on-ceramic components retrieved from squeaking total hip replacements after a mean of 23 months in situ (11 to 61). The rates and patterns of wear seen in these squeaking hips were compared with those seen in matched controls using retrieval data from 33 'silent' hip replacements with similar ceramic bearings. All 12 bearings showed evidence characteristic of edge-loading wear. The median rate of volumetric wear was 3.4 mm(3)/year for the acetabular component, 2.9 mm(3)/year on the femoral heads and 6.3 mm(3)/year for head and insert combined. This was up to 45 times greater than that of previously reported silent ceramic-on-ceramic retrievals. The rate of wear seen in ceramic components revised for squeaking hips appears to be much greater than in that seen in retrievals from 'silent' hips.
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