Finite element analysis of polyethylene wear in total hip replacement: A literature review. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Lin; Isaac, Graham; Wilcox, Ruth; Jones, Alison; Thompson, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 233:Number 11(2019)
• Page Start: 1067
• Page End: 1088
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Artificial hip joint -- biotribology -- contact modelling -- wear modelling -- wear mechanics; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Medical instruments and apparatus -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1177/0954411919872630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4119

Abstract

Evaluation and prediction of wear play a key role in product design and material selection of total hip replacements, because wear debris is one of the main causes of loosening and failure. Multifactorial clinical or laboratory studies are high cost and require unfeasible timeframes for implant development. Simulation using finite element methods is an efficient and inexpensive alternative to predict wear and pre-screen various parameters. This article presents a comprehensive literature review of the state-of-the-art finite element modelling techniques that have been applied to evaluate wear in polyethylene hip replacement components. A number of knowledge gaps are identified including the need to develop appropriate wear coefficients and the analysis of daily living activities.