Citation:
A. G. Mamalis, J.J. Ramsden, A.I. Grabchenko, L.A. Lytvynov, V.A. Filipenko, S.N. Lavrynenko; A novel concept for the manufacture of individual sapphire-metallic hip joint endoprostheses. Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry, Vol 6 No 3, 2006 pp113-117
Abstract:
At the present time, artificial joints made with metallic, ceramic, metal-polymeric or ceramicpolymeric
friction pairs substituting for the natural biomechanic articulations "head of the hip
joint-acetabulum" are widely used for endoprosthetic operations on hip joints. Experience
gained in the course of more than 2000 operations has shown that along with the
advantageous properties of modern endoprosthetic constructions made of metal, ceramics
and polymers, they have certain drawbacks. Among them are insufficient biological inertness
and susceptibility to excessive wear of the friction pair components. In addition, as a result of
wear of the hinge friction pair, toxic and oncologically dangerous products of degradation
accumulate in the different organs and tissues. This in turn results in severe complications and
demands correspondingly complicated corrective intervention, often leading to worse
disability than that which the original operation was designed to cure. The aim of the study
reported here was the development and clinical validation of a highly effective and long-lived
hip joint endoprosthesis with a sapphire head whose wear capacity is superior to all others.
The endoprosthesis consists of a metallic pedicle, a dismountable articulation (metallic necklayer
of supramolecular polyethylene-sapphire head) and an acetabular cup. The endoprostheses
with the sapphire head proved themselves positively in clinical trials and are
considered to be highly promising for future applications.
