WEAR ANALYSIS OF A RETRIEVED HIP IMPLANT WITH TITANIUM NITRIDE COATING

There is increasing interest in using surface modification technology to improve the wear properties of titanium alloy and limit articular s urface wear of metal and polyethylene components. This report details the in vivo wear performance of titanium nitride coating on a retrieve d hip implant obtained postmortem from a low demand patient 1 year aft er total hip arthroplasty. Analysis of the well-functioning implant re vealed that wear debris can originate from a titanium nitride coated f emoral head, as delaminated surface asperities, and manifest as adhesi ve wear on the articular surface. The wear observed on this implant in dicates that rigorous testing and evaluation of titanium nitride coati ng technology should be conducted prior to widespread use on total joi nt implants.