Edge loading due to dynamic separation can occur due to variations in component positioning such as a steep cup inclination angle (rotational) or mismatch between the centres of rotation of the head and the cup (translational). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of variations in rotational and translational positioning of the cup on the magnitude of dynamic separation, wear and deformation of metal-on-polyethylene bearings.

Eighteen 36mm diameter metal-on-polyethylene hip replacements were tested on an electromechanical hip simulator. Standard gait with concentric head and cup centres were applied for cups inclined at 45° (n=3) and 65° (n=3) for two million cycles. A further two tests with translational mismatch of 4mm applied between the head and cup bearing centres for cups inclined at 45° (n=6) and 65° (n=6) were run for three million cycles. Wear was determined using a microbalance and deformation by geometric analysis. Confidence intervals of 95% were calculated for mean values, and t-tests and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis (p<0.05).

Under 4mm mismatch conditions, a steeper cup inclination angle of 65° resulted in larger dynamic separation (2.1±0.5mm) compared with cups inclined at 45° (0.9±0.2mm). This resulted in larger penetration at the rim under 65° (0.28±0.04mm) compared to 45° (0.10±0.09mm) cup inclination conditions (p<0.01). Wear rates under standard concentric conditions were 12.8±3.8 mm³/million cycles and 15.4±5.0 mm³/million cycles for cups inclined at 45° and 65° respectively. Higher wear rates were observed under 4mm of translational mismatch compared with standard concentric conditions at 45° (21.5±5.5 mm³/million cycles, p<0.01) and 65° (23.0±5.7 mm³/million cycles, p<0.01) cup inclination.

Edge loading under dynamic separation conditions due to translational mismatch resulted in increased wear and deformation of the polyethylene liner. Minimising the occurrence and severity of edge loading through optimal component positioning may reduce the clinical failure rates of polyethylene.

Edge loading due to dynamic separation can occur due to variations in component positioning such as a steep cup inclination angle (rotational) or mismatch between the centres of rotation of the head and the cup (translational). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of variations in rotational and translational positioning of the cup on the magnitude of dynamic separation, wear and deformation of metal-on-polyethylene bearings.

Eighteen 36mm diameter metal-on-polyethylene hip replacements were tested on an electromechanical hip simulator. Standard gait with concentric head and cup centres were applied for cups inclined at 45° (n=3) and 65° (n=3) for two million cycles. A further two tests with translational mismatch of 4mm applied between the head and cup bearing centres for cups inclined at 45° (n=6) and 65° (n=6) were run for three million cycles. Wear was determined using a microbalance and deformation by geometric analysis. Confidence intervals of 95% were calculated for mean values, and t-tests and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis (p<0.05).

Under 4mm mismatch conditions, a steeper cup inclination angle of 65° resulted in larger dynamic separation (2.1±0.5mm) compared with cups inclined at 45° (0.9±0.2mm). This resulted in larger penetration at the rim under 65° (0.28±0.04mm) compared to 45° (0.10±0.05mm) cup inclination conditions (p<0.01). Wear rates under standard concentric conditions were 12.8±3.8 mm³/million cycles and 15.4±5.0 mm³/million cycles for cups inclined at 45° and 65° respectively. Higher wear rates were observed under 4mm of translational mismatch compared with standard concentric conditions at 45° (21.5±5.5 mm³/million cycles, p<0.01) and 65° (23.0±5.7 mm³/million cycles, p<0.01) cup inclination.

Edge loading under dynamic separation conditions due to translational mismatch resulted in increased wear and deformation of the polyethylene liner. Minimising the occurrence and severity of edge loading through optimal component positioning may reduce the clinical failure rates of polyethylene.