Incidence of Ceramic Fracture in Contemporary Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis of Proportions

BackgroundWe performed a proportion meta-analysis of currently available data to determine the prevalence of ceramic fracture for each generation.MethodsA total of 10,571 total hip arthroplasties from 45 studies were included. Proportion meta-analysis with a random-effects model was performed to estimate the prevalence of ceramic fracture. To determine whether the ceramic fractures have a fatigue nature and a risk or latent period for the development, postoperative time lapse, patient age, and body mass index were related with ceramic fracture by metaregression analysis.ResultsAs of postoperative 2.0 to 18.8 years, the rate of ceramic fracture was 0.5% (95% CI, 0.3%-0.8%) in the forte group and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.4%) in the delta group (P = .059). The ceramic fracture rate for each component was 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.3%) for the forte head, 0.1% (95% CI, 0.0%-0.2%) for the delta head (P = .210), 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.3%) for the forte liner, and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.4%) for the delta liner (P = .305). The rate of ceramic fracture per 1000 patient-years was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.5-0.13) in the forte group and 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8) in the delta group (P = .072). In metaregression analysis, no significant associations were found between prevalence of ceramic fracture and postoperative time lapse, patient age, or body mass index.ConclusionsThe rate of ceramic fracture was 0.9/1000 patient-year in the forte group and 0.5/1000 patient-year in the delta group. The results of this study provide baseline data for further studies validating ceramic bearings.Level of EvidenceLevel I, meta-analysis.     

Tibial Implant Fixation Behavior in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Study With Five Different Bone Cements

BackgroundThe objectives of this study are to (1) evaluate if there is a potential difference in cemented implant fixation strength between tibial components made out of cobalt-chromium (CrCoMo) and of a ceramic zirconium nitride (ZrN) multilayer coating and to (2) test their behavior with 5 different bone cements in a standardized in vitro model for testing of the implant-cement-bone interface conditions. We also analyzed (3) whether initial fixation strength is a function of timing of the cement apposition and component implantation by an early, mid-term, and late usage within the cement-specific processing window.MethodsAn in vitro study using a synthetic polyurethane foam model was performed to investigate the implant fixation strength after cementation of tibial components by a push-out test. A total of 20 groups (n = 5 each) was used: Vega PS CrCoMo tibia and Vega PS ZrN tibia with the bone cements BonOs R, SmartSet HV, Cobalt HV, Palacos R, and Surgical Simplex P, respectively, using mid-term cement apposition. Three different cement apposition times—early, mid-term, and late usage—were tested with a total of 12 groups (n = 5 each) with the bone cements BonOs R and SmartSet HV.ResultsThere was no significant difference in implant-cement-bone fixation strength between CrCoMo and ZrN multilayer-coated Vega tibial trays tested with 5 different commonly used bone cements.ConclusionApposition of bone cements and tibial tray implantation in the early to mid of the cement-specific processing window is beneficial in regard to interface fixation in TKA.     

Zirconia Phase Transformation,Metal Transfer,and Surface Roughness in Retrieved Ceramic Composite Femoral Heads in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Ceramic femoral heads have had promising results as a bearing surface in total hip arthroplasty. Our objective was to evaluate a series of retrieved alumina-zirconia composite ceramic femoral heads for evidence of the tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia phase transformation, metal transfer and articular surface roughness. Raman spectra showed evidence of the zirconia phase transformation in all retrieved specimens, with distinct monoclinic peaks at 183, 335, 383, and 479 cm^− 1. All components displayed metal transfer. An increase in the zirconia phase transformation was seen with increasing time in vivo. No correlation between extent of zirconia phase transformation and the surface roughness was found. These short-term results suggest that the use of an alumina-zirconia composite ceramic is a viable option for femoral heads in THA.     

桡骨远端骨折手法复位并石膏外固定临床疗效观察

目的 观察手法复位并石膏外固定治疗闭合性桡骨远端骨折的临床疗效并探讨手法复位成功的关键因素.方法 对78例中老年桡骨远端骨折患者采用手法复位并石膏外固定治疗,术后定期进行X线和腕关节功能评估.结果 术后X线检查达到解剖复位60例,功能复位18例;末次随访时腕关节评分获优55例,良23例.结论 手法复位并石膏外固定治疗闭合性桡骨远端骨折可取得满意效果.     

Recycled Mortars with Ceramic Aggregates. Pore Network Transmutation and Its Relationship with Physical and Mechanical Properties

The porosity of mortars with recycled ceramic aggregates (10, 20, 30, 50, and 100% as a replacement of natural aggregate) was evaluated and analyzed using three different techniques. The results of gas adsorption (N₂), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image analysis and open porosity allowed establishing the relationship between the recycled aggregate content and the porosity of these mortars, as well as the relationship between porosity and the physical and mechanical properties of the mortars: absorption, density, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and drying shrinkage. Using the R² coefficient and the equation typology as criteria, additional data such as Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area (N₂ adsorption) established significant correlations with the mentioned properties; with SEM image analysis, no explanatory relationships could be established; and with open porosity, revealing relationships were established (R² > 0.9). With the three techniques, it was confirmed that the increase in porosity is related to the increase in the amount of ceramic aggregate; in particular with gas adsorption (N₂) and open porosity. It was concluded that the open porosity technique can explain the behavior of these recycled mortars with more reliable data, in a simple and direct way, linked to its establishment with a more representative sample of the mortar matrix.     

Study of the Hydrolytic Stability of Fine-Grained Ceramics Based on Y2.5Nd0.5Al5O12 Oxide with a Garnet Structure under Hydrothermal Conditions

The hydrolytic stability of ceramics based on Y_2.5Nd_0.5Al₅O₁₂ oxide with a garnet structure obtained by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method has been studied. The tests were carried out in distilled water under hydrothermal conditions in an autoclave and, for comparison, in a static mode at room temperature. The mechanism of leaching of Y and Nd from the ceramics was investigated. It has been shown that at “low” temperatures (25 and 100 °C), the destruction of pores occured, and the intensity of the leaching process was limited by the diffusion of ions from the inner part of the sample to the surface. At “high” test temperatures (200 and 300 °C), intense destruction of the ceramic grain boundaries was observed. It was assumed that the accelerated leaching of neodymium is due to the formation of grain-boundary segregations of Nd³⁺ in sintered ceramics.     

Development of a System for Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Matrix Composite Structures Using Laser Technology

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are refractory ceramic materials with damage-tolerant behavior. Coming from the space industry, this class of materials is increasingly being used in other applications, such as automotive construction for high-performance brake discs, furnace technology, heat coatings for pipe systems and landing flaps on reusable rocket sections. In order to produce CMC faster and more cost-efficiently for the increasing demand, a new additive manufacturing process is being tested, which in the future should also be able to realize material joints and higher component wall thicknesses than conventional processes. The main features of the process are as follows. A ceramic fiber bundle is de-sized and infiltrated with ceramic suspension. The bundle infiltrated with matrix material is dried and then applied to a body form. During application, the matrix material is melted by laser radiation without damaging the fiber material. For the initial validation of the material system, samples are pressed and analyzed for their absorption properties using integrating sphere measurement. With the results, a suitable processing laser is selected, and initial melting tests of the matrix system are carried out. After the first validation of the process, a test system is set up, and the first test specimens are produced to determine the material parameters.     

Micro-/Nano-Structured Ceramic Scaffolds That Mimic Natural Cancellous Bone

Micro-/nano-structured scaffolds with a weight composition of 46.6% α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)—53.4% silicocarnotite (SC) were synthesized by the polymer replica method. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the scaffolds and natural cancellous bone was performed for comparison purposes. Scaffolds were obtained at three cooling rates via the eutectoid temperature (50 °C/h, 16.5 °C/h, 5.5 °C/h), which allowed the surface nanostructure and mechanical strength to be controlled. Surface nanostructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman analysis. Both phases α-TCP and SC present in the scaffolds were well-identified, looked compact and dense, and had neither porosities nor cracks. The non-cytotoxic effect was evaluated in vitro by the proliferation ability of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (ah-MSCs) seeded on scaffold surfaces. There was no evidence for cytotoxicity and the number of cells increased with culture time. A dense cell-hydroxyapatite layer formed until 28 days. The SEM analysis suggested cell-mediated extracellular matrix formation. Finally, scaffolds were functionalized with the alkaline phosphatase enzyme (ALP) to achieve biological functionalization. The ALP was successfully grafted onto scaffolds, whose enzymatic activity was maintained. Scaffolds mimicked the micro-/nano-structure and chemical composition of natural cancellous bone by considering cell biology and biomolecule functionalization.     

Interface Strength,Damage and Fracture between Ceramic Films and Metallic Substrates

Interface strength, damage and fracture properties between ceramic films and metallic substrates affect the service reliability of related parts. The films’ thickness, grain size and residual stress affect the interface properties and fracture behavior, thus related studies attract great attention. In this paper, the interface damage evolution and fracture behavior between ceramic films and metallic substrates were simulated by developing a three dimensional finite element model of alumina films on Ni substrates with cohesive elements in the interfaces. The interface fracture energy as a key parameter in the simulation was firstly determined based on its thermodynamic definition. The simulation results show the Mises stress distribution and damage evolution of the film/substrate structures during uniaxial tensile loading. Specially, when grain size of the films is in nanoscale, the interface strength increases obviously, agreeing with the previous experimental results. The effects of residual stress on interface properties was further simulated. The interface strength was found to decrease with increasing radial residual force and the axial residual pressure increases the interface strength. When the thickness of the films increases, the interface strength keeps a constant but the speed of interface damage becomes faster, that is, the thicker films show catastrophic fracture. The underlying mechanism of damage speed was analyzed. Understanding these size effects and the effects of residual stress is helpful to guide the design of related parts.