Wear debris released by hip prosthesis analysed by microcomputed tomography

Abstract

Summary Total hip arthroplasty uses commercial devices that combine different types of biomaterials. Among them, metals, ceramics and metal oxides can be used either in the prosthesis itself or in the cement used to anchor them in the bone. Over time, all of these materials can wear out and release particles that accumulate in the periprosthetic tissues or can migrate away. We used histology blocks from 15 patients (5 titanium metallosis, 5 alumina prostheses, 5 with altered methacrylic cement) to perform a microCT study and compare it with conventional histology data. An EDS‐SEM analysis was done to characterise the atomic nature of the materials involved. A morphometric analysis was also performed in 3D to count the particles and assess their density and size. The metallic particles appeared to be the largest and the ceramic particles the finest. However, microCT could not reveal the wear particles of radiolucent biomaterials such as polyethylene and the very fine zirconia particles from cement fragmentation. MicroCT analysis can reveal the extent of the accumulation of these debris in the periprosthetic tissues. Layout Description Hip prostheses progressively degrade in the body by releasing wear debris. They accumulate in the periprosthetic tissues. Microcomputed tomography was used to image three types of radio‐opaque wear debris: metal, ceramic and zirconia used in the bone cements.

Soft and Hard Tissue Integration around Percutaneous Bone-Anchored Titanium Prostheses: Toward Achieving Holistic Biointegration

“…However, one major problem pertaining to osseointegration that remains unresolved is the generation of the wear debris particles that can induce osteolysis and aseptic loosening in patients who have undergone total joint replacement/total hip arthroplasty. 180 In the context of dental implants, several factors including insertional torques during dental implant surgery, metal biocorrosion, mechanical decontamination of biofilms from implant surfaces, and mechanical stresses by repeated cyclic loading from chewing motions may be risky to implant surfaces in vivo. 181 These factors lead to the generation of wear debris/Ti particles, implant-abutment screw loosening and microleakage of oral bacteria and subsequently biofilm formation.…”

“…With several decades of research starting from Brånemark’s serendipitous discovery of Ti osseointegration, the challenges of hard bone tissue integration have been considerably solved. However, one major problem pertaining to osseointegration that remains unresolved is the generation of the wear debris particles that can induce osteolysis and aseptic loosening in patients who have undergone total joint replacement/total hip arthroplasty . In the context of dental implants, several factors including insertional torques during dental implant surgery, metal biocorrosion, mechanical decontamination of biofilms from implant surfaces, and mechanical stresses by repeated cyclic loading from chewing motions may be risky to implant surfaces in vivo .…”

Bionate Biocompatibility: In Vivo Study in Rabbits

“…Body response to implanted foreign materials and their wear and tear particles 1 is known particularly in devices with movable pieces, such as in major joint arthroplasty. 2 The particles and metallic ions can induce local tissue reactions with osteolysis 3 and implant loosening, 4 migrate through the regional lymph nodes, 5 and reach distant organs (liver and spleen). 6 The number and size of those particles correlate with the probability of these unwanted events.…”

Wear mechanisms description in nanoscale by SEM/TEM of multilayer Zr/ZrN coatings in dependence on phases ratio

“…The wear process is ubiquitous and applies to all types of surfaces, especially those that are in contact with surfaces of other materials. 9 The wear process of medical coatingscannot be sudden, unpredictable.…”

“…Medical applications such as wear‐resistant protective coatings for bone implants or medical instruments require the greatest care. The wear process is ubiquitous and applies to all types of surfaces, especially those that are in contact with surfaces of other materials 9 . The wear process of medical coatingscannot be sudden, unpredictable.…”