Surface characterization of metal-metal hip implants tested in a hip simulator

The purpose of this study was to characterize metallurgical and tribological events occurring at the articulating surfaces of all metal implants in order to gain understanding of the wear characteristics of Co-Cr-Mo alloys. The surfaces of fifteen implant heads (or balls), made of either cast, low carbon wrought or high carbon wrought Co-Cr-Mo material, were examined using scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. In the fast part of the study, six of the implants were examined prior to simulator testing, three after 3 million cycles of testing at 3 times body weight, and six after 6 million cycles of testing, also at 3 times body weight. In the second part of the study, the six implants that were examined prior to testing in the first part, were progressively wear tested at 5 times body weight and were periodically examined until 2 million cycles of testing. (Abstract shortened by UMI.