Biomineralogical Phenomena in Hip Joint Endoprostheses

Tests were performed on elements of hip joint endoprostheses regarding aging of the materials, structures of the metals as well as the cements used to fix the implant to the bone.“Worn out” elements of endoprostheses after different periods of functioning were also studied. It was determined that aging of the polymers leads to their cracking, which shortens the time of proper functioning of the acetabula and the whole artificial joints. In the “working” metal elements (femoral heads) creation of micro slag bits in the steel was observed. Those bits break out from the steel during the functioning of the hip joint, damaging the surface finishing of the head of the implant and the inner surface of the acetabulum. Long-term load on the acetabula leads to changes in the atomic structure of the polypropylene that they are built of. That causes the acetabula to wear out faster. Two-component fixing cements that were tested contained air bubbles as a result of mixing the components. Their presence weakens the endoprosthesis stabilization, accelerating the necessity to replace it.