Study of the Fatigue Strength of the Artificial Ceramic on Ceramic Hip Joint under Normal Walking Conditions

ABSTRACT

Hip joint, bearing and transmitting the major part of our body weight, is very vulnerable to damage, which may be further accentuated by certain factors like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis of femoral head following fracture neck femur, tumour, osteoporosis or any type of street accident. Of them single most determining factor is osteoporosis – observed in most of the postmenopausal women which may be further magnified by lack of proper nutrition in a developing country like India. When these factors become chronic and debilitating, leading to severe pain, restriction of mobility and function; – need for the complete or partial hip arthroplasty comes to play. Number of patients suffer every year throughout the world is well over 10 lakh and the figure in India is about 4 lakh. In India however, number of hip operation every year is much lower (about 1 lakh)1 as most of our patients cannot afford the prosthesis and operation cost. Again, while opting for surgery, along with cost other factors like the material itself or its efficacy should be considered. The most popular material, which is in vogue internationally, is ceramic on ceramic prosthesis which is now considered to be the best material.