An overview of prosthetic materials for fixation

Total hip component fixation can result from both the intrinsic stability of the implant's macroscopic geometry within the host anatomy and from the implant surface microscopic interaction with the surrounding host tissue. In practice, functionally stable total hip components rely to some extent on both macroscopic and microscopic interaction with the adjacent skeletal structures. Clearly, there is an interdependency between macroscopic and microscopic implant fixation such that they rarely occur in isolation. Both modes of implant fixation are dependent upon the materials chosen for implant construction. The materials used in implant fixation include metals, polymers, and ceramics. Implant fixation has used each of these materials in smooth, textured, and porous surface conditions. The utility of these materials for implant fixation is judged on their biocompatibility, durability, and reception to incorporation by specific tissue types.