Overview of Metal-on-Polyethylene, Metal-on-Metal, and Ceramic Hip Wear Mechanisms

Premature failure of orthopaedic hip implants caused by multiple wear mechanisms is the primary failure mode of prosthetic hips. Wearing of the implants may lead to aseptic loosening, biological incompatibilities, and mechanical failure of the implant. In order to prevent or restrict the effects of the wear mechanisms, multiple laboratory studies are being conducted in order to determine each mechanism and its contribution to increased wear rates. This paper combines previous laboratory studies related to the wear of metal-onpolyethylene, metal-on-metal, and ceramic materials. The bulk quantity materials discussed include cobalt chromium alloys, stainless steels, zirconium oxide ceramics, and polyethylene materials that are used in biomedical implantation design, and a summary is provided of the test results of the materials subjected to wear mechanisms. The objective of this study is to present the mechanical properties of bulk materials used in implant design to determine how each mechanical or wear mechanism influences the wear rates for the material. The advantages and disadvantages of each material are also discussed