Lubrication property of total knee prostheses with PV A hydrogel layer as artificial cartilage

Abstract

To solve the tribological problems such as wear and loosening in existing knee prostheses composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and metal or ceramics, a new design was attempted to realize adaptive multimode lubrication in the artificial joint. For this purpose, artificial articular cartilage is required, which has a similar structure and function to natural articular cartilage. In this study, PVA (polyvinylalcohol) hydrogel was used as artificial cartilage in the total knee prostheses. A PVA hydrogel layer was placed on an articulating surface of the tibial component, and their lubrication property during walking was evaluated by the knee joint simulator test. Silicone rubber (another compliant material) and UHMWPE were also tested and their frictional behaviors were compared with that of PVA hydrogel. As a result, PVA hydrogel showed suitable frictional behavior as artificial cartilage.