Abstract
Based on positive clinical experience with the taper lock of ceramic heads in total hip replacement, conical fixation was also chosen for modular cup inlays made of alumina ceramic and polyethylene. For a comparative assessment of inlay fixation, new ceramic and polyethylene inlays with a taper lock were biomechanically tested and compared with clinically proven system with a snap lock mechanism. With regard to the prevention of dislocation and relative movements the same level of safety was found. Measurements of the damping characteristic of the acetabulum replacement showed that there is no considerable shock-absorption for a metal backed polyethylene inlay and there are no differences in this respect between ceramic and polyethylene inlays.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
