The type of ceramic used in total hip replacement today is aluminum oxide also known as alumina.
Ceramic on ceramic hip replacement bearings.
The aim of this systematic review is to answer three questions.
The alternative bearing couples such as metal on polyethylene and metal on metal are more inclined to wear and produce particulate debris.
At present one million total hip replacements are done worldwide of these about 25 are ceramic on polyethylene and another 10 is ceramic on ceramic.
1 are there risk factors for ceramic component fracture following total hip replacement.
Modern manufacturing techniques and developments have increased the strength and reliability of ceramic materials.
There is minimal dimensional mismatch between the head and cup and there is no translational movement.
Interest in ceramic on ceramic hip replacement is increasing as a result of the realization of osteolysis associated with wear debris generation in conventional metal on polyethylene bearings and metallosis associated with metal on metal articulations.
Ceramic on ceramic hip prostheses are an increasingly popular choice for hip replacement.
The clinical use of ceramic as a bearing surface dates back to the early 1970s.
Ceramic bearing surfaces are increasingly used for total hip replacement notwithstanding that concern is still related to ceramic brittleness and its possible mechanical failure.