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The static friction, or "stiction-friction", in McKee-Farrar and Charnley-Müller prostheses in a hip joint simulator was compared with dynamic friction determined while the prostheses were oscillated. Under physiological conditions stiction-friction differed little from dynamic friction in both metal-on-metal and metal-on-plastic prostheses, and was affected very little by the lubricant as long as some fluid was present. Stiction-friction increased significantly only after relatively long stationary periods and high loads. However, the frictional forces generated in total hip-replacement prostheses were at least forty times higher than those generated in normal joints and may well be enough to cause late loosening of acetabular components by fatigue failure.

Unlabelled: Because of the increasing use of dissimilar metal combinations in the human body, we undertook an in vitro study to determine the compatibility and tendency to accelerate crevice corrosion of galvanic couples of cobalt-chromium alloy with either titanium, titanium alloy, or stainless steel. We employed an electrochemical open-circuit potential measurement test and a potentiostatic passive film-corrosion measurement test. The results demonstrated that the chromium alloy/stainless-steel couple was unstable. The cobalt-chromium alloy/titanium alloy couple was stable., Clinical Relevance: Cobalt-chromium alloys should not be used in combination with stainless steel but may be used in combination with titanium alloy. All usage of metal couples should be approached with the utmost caution.

Unlabelled: In order to study the temporal sequence of radiographic, histological, mechanical, bacteriological, and chemical changes around the femoral component following total hip replacement, a model was created by implanting plastic-on-metal total hip replacements in sheep and walking the animals on a concrete surface beginning six weeks postoperatively. This model demonstrated a decreased torsional rigidity between the prosthesis and the femoral cortex in all sheep. Failure of bonding occurred at the bone-cement interface and appears from our results to be most probably due to alterations in the functional stress of the proximal end of the femur following insertion of the femoral component rather than exothermic polymerization, toxicity of free monomer residue, or infection., Clinical Relevance: An understanding of the causes of loosening of cemented metal femoral components in total hip replacement has been thwarted by a lack of specimens at sequential times in the loosening process. Since a patient is not operated on until the prosthetic components are completely loose, such specimens are difficult to obtain clinically. For this reason a model for examining the bone-cement interface, measured by decreased torsional rigidity of the prosthesis relative to the bone, was developed in sheep. Of all the parameters studied, those inherent in the effects (mechanical or vascular, or both) of insertion of the prosthesis itself appeared to be the most likely cause of the change in the mechanical properties of the interface. This suggests that degenerative changes of the bone-cement interface may be inevitable.