# SURFACE FAILURE IN UHMWPE JOINT COMPONENTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY · 1989 · $121,966

## Abstract

Total joint replacement is an established treatment for severely
impaired joints.  Significant complications persist, however, which
are directly influenced by fracture processes occurring in the
interfacial structures found in total joint replacement systems.
The purpose of this research is to establish failure criteria for
these structures using the principles of fracture mechanics.  The
specific problem to be studies is surface damage occurring on the
polyethylene surface of the tibial component in total knee
replacement as a result of articulation with the metal femoral
component.  Failure criteria governing the occurrence of the
problem will be experimentally established.  Stress analysis will
be performed to determine the stresses arising within the implant
system which would lead to failure.  These stresses will be
examined as a function of the implant geometry.  Fracture
analysis will then be performed to show that variations in
component geometry will affect the propensity for failure.  This
analysis will employ the experimentally determined failure
criteria.  The goal is to demonstrate that design variables can be
chosen to minimize the occurrence of such failures without
adversely affecting other aspects of implant function.  In this
way, the longterm performance for total joint replacement will
be improved.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158924
- **Project number:** 5R01AR038905-03
- **Recipient organization:** HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY
- **Principal Investigator:** TIMOTHY M. WRIGHT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $121,966
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-09-01 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158924

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158924, SURFACE FAILURE IN UHMWPE JOINT COMPONENTS (5R01AR038905-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158924. Licensed CC0.

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