Joint Replacement Technology

Joint replacement is a standard treatment for joint degradation and has improved the quality of life of millions of patients. For its continued success and to meet the rising expectations of patients and surgeons, it relies on collaboration between clinicians and researchers. This second edition provides a comprehensive review of the scientific and engineering developments in joint replacement technology.

Part one introduces the advances in joint replacement technology, tribological considerations and experiments, and immune and regenerative responses to joint replacements. Part two covers the materials and techniques used in joint replacement. The advantages and disadvantages of different metals are explained as well as the use of ceramics. This section also addresses challenges in joint bearing surfaces, design and cementless fixation techniques. Biological and mechanical issues are considered in part three, including healing responses to implants and biological causes of prosthetic joint failure. As the first edition did not include a chapter on imaging methods, this has now been addressed with a chapter on imaging of joint prostheses. Each chapter in part four describes the clinical challenges of replacing specific joints. Hip, knee, intervertebral disc joint, shoulder arthroplasty, elbow arthroplasty and pyrocarbon small joint arthroplasty are all focussed on in turn.

Thanks to its widespread collaboration and international contributors Joint Replacement Technology is useful for materials scientists and engineers in both academia and biomedical industry. Chemists, clinicians and other researchers in this area will also find it invaluable.

This second edition provides an updated comprehensive review of recent developments in joint replacement technologyProvides coverage for the most pertinent materials science and engineering issues in depthReviews the specific joints, biological and mechanical issues and fixation techniques