New method for determining in vitro structure stiffness of ceramic acetabular liners under different impact conditions

Increasing both patient mobility and prosthesis life span requires improvements in the range of motion and wear behavior of the liner. With the use of new composite alumina–zirconia ceramic materials, the same stability of the liner can be achieved at lower wall thickness than it is possible with alumina-only materials. The aim of this study was developing a method for determining the in vitro structure stiffness of ceramic acetabular liners against impact stresses. The first trials were performed with a common alumina acetabular liner type (Ceramtec; Biolox forte; diameter 28 mm; thickness 7 mm) and a new type of alumina–zirconia (Ceramtec Biolox delta; same dimensions) liner. The clinically established alumina liner was reproducibly damaged using worst case Separation/subluxation equivalent to one-fourth or half of the head diameter, and an impact load of 15 J. The liners containing the new alumina–zirconia material were not damaged in any of the trials up to an impact load of 20 J and half head diameter offset.