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The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the healthcare industry, particularly biopharmaceuticals, which has created strong tailwinds for the pharma services industry. As money continues to flow into the [...]

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate whether wear and backside deformation of polyethylene (PE) tibial inserts may influence the cement cover of tibial trays of explanted total knee arthroplasties (TKAs).MethodsAt our retrieval centre, we measured changes in the wear and deformation of PE inserts using coordinate measuring machines and light microscopy. The amount of cement cover on the backside of tibial trays was quantified as a percentage of the total surface. The study involved data from the explanted fixed-bearing components of four widely used contemporary designs of TKA (Attune, NexGen, Press Fit Condylar (PFC), and Triathlon), revised for any indication, and we compared them with components that used previous generations of PE. Regression modelling was used to identify variables related to the amount of cement cover on the retrieved trays.ResultsA total of 114 explanted fixed-bearing TKAs were examined. This included 76 used with contemporary PE inserts which were compared with 15 used with older generation PEs. The Attune and NexGen (central locking) trays were found to have significantly less cement cover than Triathlon and PFC trays (peripheral locking group) (p = 0.001). The median planicity values of the PE inserts used with central locking trays were significantly greater than of those with peripheral locking inserts (205 vs 85 microns; p < 0.001). Attune and NexGen inserts had a characteristic pattern of backside deformation, with the outer edges of the PE deviating inferiorly, leaving the PE margins as the primary areas of articulation.ConclusionExplanted TKAs with central locking mechanisms were significantly more likely to debond from the cement mantle. The PE inserts of these designs showed characteristic patterns of deformation, which appeared to relate to the manufacturing process and may be exacerbated in vivo. This pattern of deformation was associated with PE wear occurring at the outer edges of the articulation, potentially increasing the frictional torque generated at this interface.

Despite the encouraging short- and medium-term clinical results and increased usage of reverse shoulder replacements, a higher revision rate is documented compared with other major joint arthroplasties. Adverse reaction to polyethylene wear debris is still an important factor which may influence the long-term survival of reverse shoulder arthroplasty. To date, only a small number of retrieval studies of reverse shoulder arthroplasty have reported the different damage modes on polyethylene components, but none have quantified the ex vivosurface roughness on both articulating surfaces. The main purpose of this study was to assess, for the first time, the surface roughness of 13 retrieved metal-on-polyethylene reverse shoulder replacements using a white light profilometre with nanometre resolution. Although no significant relationship was observed between the surface roughness values and patient variables, it was noted that half of the polyethylene components still showed their original machining marks, indicating little change in vivo and that the metallic humeral components in the reversed design configuration showed low values of surface roughness after their time in vivo.

Generation of wear debris and wear particle-induced osteolysis are the main limitations of metal-on-polyethylene artificial joints. Cross-linked polyethylene has been recently used, particularly in hip replacements, as an alternative material to conventional ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene due to its superior wear resistance. This study focused on the wear behaviour of cross-linked polyethylene under different contact stresses in order to make interpretations of its long-term in-vivo performance. A 50-station SuperCTPOD (pin-on-disc) machine was used to investigate the influence of contact stress on the wear of cross-linked polyethylene pins which were articulated against cobalt chromium discs. It was found that the wear rate of cross-linked polyethylene was lower at higher contact stresses.

Artificial finger joints lack the long-term clinical success seen with hip and knee prostheses. In part, this can be explained by the challenges of rheumatoid arthritis, a progressive disease which attacks surrounding tissues as well as the joint itself. Therefore, the natural finger joints’ biomechanics are adversely affected, and consequently, this imbalance due to subluxing forces further challenges any prosthesis. Many different designs of finger prosthesis have been offered over a period of greater than 50 years. Most of these designs have failed, and it is likely that many of these failures could have been identified had the prostheses been appropriately tested prior to implantation into patients. While finger joint simulators have been designed, arguably only those from a single centre have been able to reproduce clinical-type failures of the finger prostheses tested in them. This article describes the design and development of a finger simulator at Durham University, UK. It explains and justifies the engineering decisions made and thus the evolution of the finger simulator. In vitro results and their linkage to clinical-type failures are outlined to help to show the effectiveness of the simulator. Failures of finger implants in vivo continue to occur, and the need for appropriate in vitro testing of finger prostheses remains strong.

This work aimed to engineer a multi-station shoulder simulator in order to wear test shoulder prostheses using recognized shoulder activities of daily living. A bespoke simulator was designed, built and subject to commissioning trials before a first wear test was conducted. Five JRI Orthopaedics Reverse Shoulder VAIOS 42 mm prostheses were tested for 2.0 million cycles and a mean wear rate and standard deviation of 14.2 ± 2.1 mm3/106cycles measured for the polymeric glenoid components. This result when adjusted for prostheses diameters and test conditions showed excellent agreement with results from hip simulator studies of similar materials in a lubricant of bovine serum. The Newcastle Shoulder Simulator is the first multi-station shoulder simulator capable of applying physiological motion and loading for typical activities of daily living.

This article reviews the anatomy, pathology and biomechanics of the key joint of the foot, the first metatarsophalangeal joint, before focusing on the various designs of prosthesis that have been proposed for this joint. Metal hemiarthroplasties, single-piece, double-stem silicone implants and multicomponent implants are all considered in detail, as is an assessment of the available clinical results. In addition, preimplantation testing of the implants and the value of explant studies are discussed.

Although implanted for over 40 years, finger prostheses have failed to match the success achieved by artificial hip and knee prostheses, despite a myriad of designs having been proposed and implanted. This article looks at the currently available designs of metacarpophalangeal prosthesis, both single-piece and multicomponent implants. An appraisal of their designs and the clinical results, where available, are provided. The review also considers the challenges that are still faced by bioengineers and surgeons concerned with improving the success of metacarpophalangeal prostheses. In addition, key current areas of concern such as in vitro testing and contemporary issues in rheumatology, which may be diminishing the amount of metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty taking place, are discussed.