The Medical Ceramics Encyclopedia

S.M.Kurtz 1,2

1 School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems, Drexel University, and

2 Exponent, Inc., PA, 19104

Author's Foreward

This foreword provides the motivation and background for developing this online reference.

1. Primer on Ceramic Biomaterials in Orthopaedics

This chapter outlines some of the basic structure and property characteristics of ceramics and briefly recounts the clinical history of ceramics in orthopedics. We also provide an introductory overview of the three specific types of ceramic materials relevant to hip replacement, namely alumina, zirconia, and alumina matrix composites.

2. Ceramic Hip Designs, Manufacturing, and Reliability

This chapter is intended to provide the reader with an appreciation of the topics most relevant to the design, manufacture, and reliability of ceramic implants in clinical use today.

3. Ceramic-on-Ceramic Bearings in Primary THA

In this systemic review we focus on synthesizing the literature as it pertains to the clinical outcomes of ceramic-on-ceramic (COC) bearings in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

4. Ceramic-on-Polyethylene Bearings in Primary THA

In this systemic review we synthesize the literature related to the outcomes of ceramic-on-polyethylene bearings in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). We also explore the published clinical outcomes of oxidized zirconium bearings with polyethylene.

5. Ceramics in Revision THA

Compared with ceramics in primary hip arthroplasty, relatively few studies have been published regarding the use of ceramic bearings during revision surgery. Consequently, in this chapter we will review both the utilization and outcomes of ceramic bearings in revision total hip arthroplasty (R-THA).



Foreward >