Joint replacement has been one of the major successes of modern medicine. Its continued success depends on effective collaboration between clinicians and researchers across many different areas in science and medicine. This important book brings together the wide range of research in this area and its implications for clinical practice.
The book sets the scene with introductory chapters on joint biomechanics and tribology, materials for joint replacement and their interactions with the body, and regulatory issues. Part two reviews the use of metals and ceramics as joint replacement materials, joint design, bone cements and cementless fixation techniques, failure mechanisms and ways of predicting the lifetime of replacement joints. The third part of the book summarises research on how prosthetic joints interact with the body, including biological causes of joint failure, sterilisation techniques and the use of drug delivery systems to enhance joint replacement. The final group of chapters reviews key issues in replacing particular joints including the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow as well as developments in intervertebral disc and tempero-mandibular joint replacement technology.
With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Joint replacement technology is a standard reference for the engineering and materials scientific communities, as well as surgeons seeking the best treatment for their patients.

• Reviews joint biomechanics and tribology
• Considers the use of metals and ceramics as joint replacement materials, joint design and bone cements
• Summarises research on prosthetic interaction with the body

Part 1 Introduction: Biomechanics of joints; Tribology in joint replacement; Biomaterials and the chemical environment of the body; Materials for joint replacement; Regulatory issues affecting joint replacement: The case of the UK. Part 2 Material and mechanical issues: Metals for joint replacement; Ceramics for joint replacement; Joint bearing surfaces and replacement joint design; Cementless fixation techniques in joint replacement; Bone cement fixation: Acrylic cements; Bone cement fixation: Glass-ionomer cements; Failure mechanisms in joint replacement; Predicting the lifetime of joints: Clinical results. Part 3 The device biological environment: The healing response to implants used in joint replacement; Biological causes of prosthetic joint failure; Using drug delivery systems to enhance joint replacement; Sterilisation of joint replacement technology. Part 4 Specific joints: Hip replacement: Tribological principles, materials and engineering; Hip replacement: clinical perspectives; Knee replacement: Clinical perspectives; Intervertebral disc joint replacement technology; Replacing tempero-mandibular joints (TMJ); Replacing ankle joints; Replacing shoulder joints; Replacing elbow joints; Replacing joints with pyrolytic carbon.