The Engineering of Human Joint Replacements (PDF)

Since the major pioneering of joint replacement surgery more
than fifty years ago, much research and progress has been made in
the field of arthroplasty with new insights into better materials,
types of cement and bone-cell compatible coatings, and a better
understanding of the causes of implant failure. With an
increasingly ageing population the requirement for arthroplastic
surgery is manifest; over 800,000 hips worldwide are replaced each
year, and replacement surgery is performed for almost every joint
of the body.

The Engineering of Human Joint Replacements covers the
design, engineering, production and manufacture of human joint
replacements, as well as associated engineering concerns such as
surface coatings, orthopedic bone cement, the causes and effects of
wear and tear, and rapid prototyping for clinical evaluation.
Materials evaluation and selection is discussed, as well as
production processes and insertion methods. The author provides an
overview of skeletal anatomy and the effects of pain and
deterioration in order to put the engineering principles into a
medical context. Examples of joint replacements for the most common
regions of the body are included, and aspects of clinical studies
of these cases are discussed.

Key Features:

* Provides an overview of the engineering materials and
processes involved in the manufacture of human
joint replacements

* Sets the scene for engineers and clinicians embarking on
research into joint replacements

* Includes clinical and industrial examples and points the
way to future developments

* Provides information on medical device companies with an
engineering guide to the requirements for joint replacement

The Engineering of Human Joint Replacements bridges the
divide between engineering and orthopaedic surgery, offering an
introductory text to young engineers entering the field, as well as
a reference for medical staff who will benefit from an
understanding of the materials and methods used in their design,
engineering and manufacture.