The lubrication in natural synovial joints and joint prostheses.

Abstract

Natural joints exhibiting excellent performance under reciprocatingslow speed and high loading conditions have a prominent lubricationmechanism as an adaptive multimode lubrication, whereelastohydrodynamic fluid film plays the main role supported by varioussupplimental lubrication mechanisms. In contrast, most of the existingjoint prostheses operate not under fluid film but under mixedlubrication, which induces some tribological problems such as looseningand wear. Thus, recent investigations on the lubrication mechanisms innatural synovial joints and total replacement joints are reviewed, andthen subjects on lubrication and wear in joint prostheses and optimumdesign of joint prostheses with artificial cartilage are discussed.