Wear of a Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hip Resurfacing Under Activities of Daily Function

Hip resurfacing is a bone-conserving alternative to total hip replacement particularly suited to younger or more active patients with good bone stock. Historical issues with metal-on-metal hip resurfacing devices have led to investigations of new materials. In this study, the wear of a BIOLOX delta ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing under a range of activities of daily function was investigated in an experimental simulation model. Under a standard walking gait, increased frequency, and stop–dwell–start conditions, the wear of the ceramic head and cup was low and at the limit of the sensitivity of the measurement technique used (<0.1 mm3/million cycles). Only when tested under a jogging-like protocol with higher loading (maximum 4.5 kN) coupled with higher frequency (1.25 Hz), under both continuous running and stop–dwell–start conditions, was wear measurable but still low, with a mean <0.15 mm3/million cycles. At the conclusion of the study, no wear scar was visible on any components and no changes in the surface roughness of the implants was measured. This short-term, pre-clinical study showed low wear of BIOLOX delta ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacings when evaluated under a range of activities of daily living and that this material combination has potential for the next generation of large-diameter hip bearings.