Biomechanics and biotribology of orthopaedic knee prostheses

Abstract

This paper is a thorough analysis on the wear phenomenon of the total knee prosthesis, especially of the tibial tray insert of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), due to cyclic biomechanical loading. The focus is on the evolution of the phenomenon, from adhesive wear pitting followed by delaminating and even breaking the insert. There are presented theoretical considerations regarding the non–conform contact between the femoral condyle and the tibial tray, experimental results, as well as the possibility to predict the fatigue wear of the UHMWPE tibial tray insert.