Variation in joint fluid composition and its effect on the tribology of replacement joint articulation

Polyethylene wear is a significant clinical problem limiting the long-term survival of joint replacement prostheses, particularly in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although the tribology of joint replacement has consequently become an area of significant research, the effect of joint fluid on lubrication in the replaced joint has been largely overlooked. Several factors that affect the tribology of metal on polyethylene articulation in joint prostheses stem from the fluid lubricating the joint. In particular, the properties and composition of joint fluid likely contribute to fluid film lubrication and boundary lubrication in joint replacements, as they do in natural joints. The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the effect of natural variation in joint fluid composition and properties on friction, lubrication, and wear in joint arthroplasty. To achieve this goal, several parameters relating to the composition and mechanical properties of joint fluid are determined. Steady shear viscosity and linear viscoelastic properties of joint fluid are evaluated as indicators of its mechanical properties. Furthermore, concentrations of the hyaluronic acid, protein, and phospholipid in joint fluid are measured using standard biochemical techniques.

Department dc:contributor.department

Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Mazzucco, Daniel Clarke, 1976-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Myron Spector.

• Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33733

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33733