EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L32330/01
Title: WILL MOBILE BEARING KNEES WEAR LESS THAN FIXED BEARING CONDYLAR KNEES IN THE LONG TERM
Principal Investigator: Walker, Dr P
Other Investigators:
Blunn, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Pre Nexus Migration
Department: Institute of Orthopaedics
Organisation: UCL
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 December 1996 Ends: 30 November 1999 Value (£): 191,798
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Mobile bearing knee replacement, where the metallic femoral component is in close conformity with the plastic mobile bearing, are being increasingly used in clinical practice, a main purpose being to reduce the long-term wear which has been observed with some fixed-bearing condylar types of knee. In MBKs, wear takes place between the femoral and bearing surfaces due to flexion-extension, and between the bearing and the tibial plate due to translations and rotations. The wear is of concern because it is likely to consist mainly of sub-micron size particles, which have been associated with osteolysis in hip replacements. In FBKs, wear at the surface of the plastic is due to the combined sliding an rotational movements. This study will concentrate on the surface wear, but recognising that delamination wear is still an issue in FBKs. Building on our previous work of analytical knee modelling, a theoretical model will be formulated which will predict the progress of the surface wear over time for both types of knee design. To provide input data for the model, the wear rates of UHMWPE as a function of contact pressure will be measured in a special Knee Wear Machine. The theoretical model will predict optimal geometry for MBKs with close femoral-tibial conformity, and for FBKs with partial conformity. Finally, the predictions of the model will be tested by running knees in a Knee Simulating Machine. Progress of this project can be readily monitored by the 4 readily identified milestones: wear as a function of pressure; mobile bearing model; fixed bearing model; and the Simulator data.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: