Graphitic Tribological Layers in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements.

The article explores the performance of prosthetic metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings in hip replacement implants as a treatment for arthritis. An analysis of the embedded nanoparticles at the tribological layer formed at the sliding contact region found the presence of graphitic carbon, which can act as a lubricant. These findings support the data of low friction and wear of MoM devices, provide data for improvements in prosthetic design, and caution about the potential adverse responses of body tissues to the exposure to eroded graphitic particles.