Frictional heating in hip implants - a review

Frictional heating at the head-cup interface causes temperature rise in the bearing components and the synovial fluid of hip implants. High temperature, not only, causes creep, wear, oxidation of the components, e. g. UHMWPE cup, but also increases the risk of damage to surrounding soft and hard tissue, resulting in the aseptic loosening failure. The present paper reviews studies on frictional heating in hip implants available in literature. The aim, particularly, is to explore mechanism of heat generation due to friction, quantification of temperature rise, and important parameters impacting heat generation. Concerns with the issue are addressed and the importance of the need for potential remedies to minimize the effects is highlighted. The discussion would provide guidelines, enabling biomedical engineers to help design, develop, and implement implants with an enhanced performance. (C) 2013 The Authors, Published by Elsevier Ltd.