An Integrated Experimental and Theoretical Contact Mechanics Study of UHMWPE Hip Implants Tested in a Hip Simulator

A contact mechanics model was developed to investigate the effect of macroscopic and microscopic surface features of the bearing surface of both conventional and cross-linked polyethylene acetabular cups tested in hip simulators. Wear of the bearing surface was found to increase the conformity and to decrease the contact pressure for both materials. The surface roughness on the cup surface was found to increase the contact pressure perturbation, particularly for the conventional polyethylene.