Reducing bone-implant
temperature
Friction in an artificial hip joint during extended periods of high
loading ( as for example during walking) is the cause of a significant
increase in temperature. The amount of friction which occurs is
dependent on the actual wear couple. It is accepted that in active
patients warming of the prosthesis can lead to implant loosening and
revision as a result of thermal damage to the soft tissues and to the
bone and also as a result of the cumulative degradation of the synovial
fluid.
In vivo measurements in patients show that the temperature in artificial hip joints is clearly higher for metal - polyethylene than for BIOLOX®forte - polyethylene wear couples. The lowest temperature is obtained for the all ceramic wear couple, BIOLOX®forte - BIOLOX®forte.