Failure Criteria of Artificial Joints: A review

Tribology has a significant role in the functioning of artificial joints. The tribological aspects of total artificial replacement joints is reviewed. The basics of tribology are applied to understand the friction, wear and lubrication of natural and artificial joints. The basic wear mechanisms in artificial joint are introduced. Bearing lubrication concepts can be applied to determine the lubrication performance of artificial joints. Major failure criteria of artificial joints, retrieved from patients, are overviewed and discussed. The role of surface and subsurface cracks in polyethylene along with the effect of counterface imperfections in the wear of artificial joints are pointed out. Wear debris are the key factor related with the contacting surfaces of artificial joints which can cause adverse tissue reactions and the loosening of the prosthetic components. In this paper, generation and classification of wear debris are deliberated.

Keywords: Tribology; Artificial joint; Failure criteria; Fatigue; Wear debrisr