MATERIALS FOR HIP-JOINT PROSTHESES - ALTE RNATIVES TO STANDARD MATERIALS

A review of current clinically applied biomaterials for the femoral he ads and acetabular cups of total hip prostheses (UHMWPE, CoCrMo alloys , alumina and zirkonium) in terms of their resistance to wear is prese nted. Further developments in metallic and ceramic materials over the last few years have now left UHMWPE as the weakest link in the prosthe sis material chain. Alternative materials aimed at improving the tribo logical properties of the femoral head/acetabular head system are pres ented. New surface hardening and coating techniques for titanium alloy s, polymer coatings, optimized UHMWPE, as well as various carbon-fibre -reinforced synthetic materials are described. The advantages, disadva ntages and prospects of these materials are compared with those of sta ndard materials and documented in experimental and clinical studies.