Analysis of contact mechanics in ceramic-on-ceramic hip joint replacements.

The contact mechanics in ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants has been analysed in this study using the finite element method. Only the ideal conditions where the contact occurs within the acetabular cup were considered. It has been shown that the contact pressure distribution and the contact area at the main articulating bearing surfaces depend largely on design parameters such as the radial clearance between the femoral head and the acetabular cup, as well as the thickness of the ceramic insert. For the ceramic-on-ceramic hip implants used in clinics today, with a minimum 5-mm-thick ceramic insert, it has been shown that the radius of the contact area between the femoral head and the acetabular cup is relatively small compared with that of the femoral head and the ceramic insert thickness. Consequently, Hertz contact theory can be used to estimate the contact parameters such as the maximum contact pressure and the contact area.