Abstract
Sir John Charnley unquestionably was the pioneer of modern joint arthroplasty. He was also an innovator in many other areas of orthopedics, including fracture care and arthrodesis, but this tribute will focus on his contributions to arthroplasty.
Charnley pioneered the use of methyl methacrylate cement and in so doing provided the first reliable means of fixing implants to bone. For the first time, this provided arthritis patients with reproducible long-term, reliable pain relief from advanced joint arthritis. Charnley also pioneered the use of a novel bearing surface, high molecular weight polyethylene. In so doing, he pioneered resurfacing of both sides of a joint with a low-friction, low-wear bearing. This provided the potential for excellent pain relief and also durable function of a hip arthroplasty.
Charnley understood the importance of reproducing joint mechanics and kinematics, and the arthroplasties he designed fully reproduced leg length and hip offset, and therefore the mechanics of the hip.
Finally, Charnley understood that technology is only a great value when it can be transferred effectively to many surgeons around the world. He created a carefully constructed educational structure to teaching the methodology in a way that would allow surgeons to practice this procedure successfully in other centers. Charnley understood the importance of minimizing complications for a procedure to be widely adopted and successful.
It is no exaggeration to state that Charnley’s contributions have helped tens of millions of patients worldwide who otherwise would have been permanently crippled by arthritis. Today’s further advances in joint arthroplasty are all dependent on the foundations of joint arthroplasty pioneered by Sir John Charnley.
Correspondence should be addressed to Diane Przepiorski at ISTA, PO Box 6564, Auburn, CA 95604, USA. Phone: +1 916-454-9884; Fax: +1 916-454-9882; E-mail: ista@pacbell.net
