Materials selection and design for orthopaedic implants with improved long-term performance

Design and materials selection are equally important in the development of orthopaedic implants. Two case studies are presented to illustrate this: the development of a femoral component of a total hip prosthesis and the study of alternative designs of a tibial component of a total knee prosthesis. Bioactive surface coatings may be applied to enhance the stability of fixation of the implant, even in difficult clinical cases. It is argued that an improved long-term performance of an implant can only be achieved by considering the biomechanics and biomaterials aspects of joint replacement together, and at the same time guaranteeing the quality of surgery by providing the surgeon with better pre-surgical planning systems and advanced surgical tools.