Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explain the importance of improving the performance of artificial hip prosthesis in a view of materials science and clinical application, and to provide evidence for improving the quality of total hip replacement.
METHODS: Using “artificial hip, hip replacement, prosthesis, wear mechanism, friction and wear properties” as Chinese key words, “hip, hip replacement, prosthesis, wear mechanism, friction and wear properties” as English key words, articles published between January 1993 and October 2009 were searched by computer. Articles related to the wear properties of artificial hip joint prosthesis were included; repeated study or Meta analysis articles were excluded. Thirty articles mainly focused on the importance of improving the properties of hip joint prosthesis.
RESULTS: From the design, application, improvement and re-application, artificial hip joints exhibit a very positive effect of treatment, but are faced with various problems, so we should improve artificial hip joint regarding their design and manufacturing techniques, so as to improve the wear resistance and mechanical properties of materials, enhance the integration between prosthesis and host bone, reduce stress shielding, search for new artificial hip joint prosthesis, which all contribute to increase the biocompatibility of the implant and the host, thus allowing better use to extend the prosthesis life.
CONCLUSION: Low-wear artificial hip joint prosthesis material is an important factor to improve the quality of treatment. Basic researches and clinical long-term follow-up observations after total hip replacement may provide a more appropriate prosthesis and require continuous exploration in several directions.