One commonly reported complication of pyrolytic carbon arthroplasty at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is an annoying, painless, squeaking postoperatively. This squeak has been anecdotally associated with implant loosening or impending dislocation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology of this squeaking. Proximal and distal components of the pyrolytic carbon PIP implant were inserted into foam bones and mounted onto an oscillating test device. We evaluated the effect of 96 combinations of load, velocity, contact angle, implant size, lubrication, and displacement amplitude over a total of 300 cycles for each condition. Sound analysis was performed on squeaking conditions. Fourteen conditions resulted in squeaking, all with a sound pattern similar to that noted clinically. Unlubricated, “dry” joints did not squeak. Squeaking most commonly occurred with fetal bovine serum lubrication, at higher loads, and at 0 deg hyperextension. Hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation stopped the squeaking in all cases.
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March 2014
Technical Briefs
Investigation of Squeaking in Pyrolytic Carbon Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Implants
Caleb Davis,
Caleb Davis
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
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Andrew R. Thoreson,
Andrew R. Thoreson
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
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Lawrence Berglund,
Lawrence Berglund
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
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Steven L. Moran,
Steven L. Moran
Division of Plastic Surgery,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
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Kai-Nan An,
Kai-Nan An
Biomechanics & Tendon and
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Soft Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
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Peter C. Amadio
Peter C. Amadio
1
Biomechanics & Tendon and
Division of Orthopedic Research,
e-mail: pamadio@mayo.edu
Soft Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
e-mail: pamadio@mayo.edu
lCorresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Caleb Davis
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
Andrew R. Thoreson
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
Lawrence Berglund
Biomechanics & Tendon and Soft
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
Steven L. Moran
Division of Plastic Surgery,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
Kai-Nan An
Biomechanics & Tendon and
Division of Orthopedic Research,
Soft Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
Peter C. Amadio
Biomechanics & Tendon and
Division of Orthopedic Research,
e-mail: pamadio@mayo.edu
Soft Tissue Biology Laboratories
,Division of Orthopedic Research,
Mayo Clinic
,Rochester, MN 55905
e-mail: pamadio@mayo.edu
lCorresponding author.
Manuscript received January 29, 2013; final manuscript received December 13, 2013; published online January 9, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Carl A. Nelson.
J. Med. Devices. Mar 2014, 8(1): 014508 (5 pages)
Published Online: January 9, 2014
Article history
Received:
January 29, 2013
Revision Received:
December 13, 2013
Citation
Davis, C., Thoreson, A. R., Berglund, L., Moran, S. L., An, K., and Amadio, P. C. (January 9, 2014). "Investigation of Squeaking in Pyrolytic Carbon Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Implants." ASME. J. Med. Devices. March 2014; 8(1): 014508. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4026289
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