The Biomaterials Interface: Tribology in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty (2014)
When a surgeon implants a total hip or knee replacement, they are essentially installing a machine inside the human body. How long that machine lasts before catastrophically failing depends entirely on “tribology”—the intense physics of friction, lubrication, and wear between the artificial bearing surfaces. Tribology in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty is a fiercely technical, heavily scientific manual dedicated entirely to the material science of joint replacement. This volume provides the exact blueprints required to select implants that will survive millions of cycles of human movement.
Mastering the Bearing Couple
The core philosophy of this text is minimizing volumetric wear debris. The authors aggressively analyze the microscopic interactions of different materials. It dictates exactly why the combination of a ceramic femoral head on highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) produces drastically fewer wear particles than traditional metal-on-plastic, dramatically extending the lifespan of the implant in young, active patients.
Navigating Metal-on-Metal and Osteolysis
The book provides a masterclass in catastrophic implant failure. It dictates the exact biological pathways of adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR). It rigorously details the massive controversy surrounding metal-on-metal hip replacements, explaining how microscopic cobalt and chromium ions trigger massive pseudotumors that completely destroy the surrounding muscle and bone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this a step-by-step surgical technique manual?
No, it is an advanced *biomedical engineering and materials science* textbook focused on the physics of the implants rather than the surgical approach.
Who is the primary audience?
It is the absolute, mandatory reference for Arthroplasty Surgeons, Biomedical Engineers, and Implant Design Scientists.
