A number of total disc arthroplasty devices have been developed. Some concern has been expressed that wear may be a potential failure mode for these devices, as has been seen with hip arthroplasty. The aim of this paper was to investigate the lubrication regimes that occur in lumbar total disc arthroplasty devices. The disc arthroplasty was modelled as a ball-and-socket joint. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory was used to calculate the minimum film thickness of the fluid between the bearing surfaces. The lubrication regime was then determined for different material combinations, size of implant, and trunk velocity. Disc arthroplasties with a metal-polymer or metal-metal material combination operate with a boundary lubrication regime. A ceramic-ceramic material combination has the potential to operate with fluid-film lubrication. Disc arthroplasties with a metal-polymer or metal-metal material combination are likely to generate wear debris. In future, it is worth considering a ceramic-ceramic material combination as this is likely to reduce wear
Keywords : Arthroplasty,Computer Simulation,Equipment Failure Analysis,Friction,Humans,instrumentation,Intervertebral Disc,Intervertebral Disc Displacement,Joint Prosthesis,Lubrication,Lumbar Vertebrae,methods,Models,Biological,Motion,physiopathology,Prosthesis Design,surgery,, Regimes,Lumbar,Total,Disc, pain gate theory simplified
Date of Publication : 2007 Aug
Authors : Shaheen A;Shepherd DE;
Organisation : Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Journal of Publication : Proc Inst Mech Eng H
Pubmed Link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17937201
The London Spine Unit : Harley Street UK. Specialists in Cutting Edge Technologies for Spinal Surgery
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