RESEARCH INITIATION AWARD: Wear Mechanisms and New Methods of Wear Prevention in Artificial Joints

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9410467 Topoleski This Research Initiation Award investigates the fundamental mechanisms of wear in CoCr alloys, a critical step toward improving artificial joint materials and the quality of life for joint recipients, and reducing the cost of arthritis care. Wear is expected to become the major cause of artificial joint failure, requiring costly revision surgery and inducing irreparable bone damage. In order to synthesize new materials, or modify existing materials to resist wear, the fundamental wear mechanisms must be understood. Polyethylene wear is integrally linked to the condition of the articulating metal component, yet research of metal component wear has been practically neglected. Failure analysis of in vivo CoCr wear is an essential element of this research. Surface roughness measurements will provide quantification of wear. Scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy will be used to investigate the wear surface. In vitro wear testing to investigate the mechanisms of wear, and the effect of wear surfaces on the integrity of artificial joints will be based on the failure analyses. ***