Uploaded April 2015 | Updated September 2026, 31 minutes ago
Abstract
The topic that we will be discussing in our video project is the usage of chromium cobalt alloys in joint replacements. We will address the health effects, the stability, and the overall longevity of the replacements in the human body. Joint replacement technologies are important in society because many people suffer joint deterioration throughout their lives. In recent years it has become more common for people to undergo joint replacement surgeries. Therefore, it is important to find the safest and most effective materials for replacements.
One of the main problems with joint replacement technology is finding a material that possesses several important qualities including high tensile strength, high resistance to corrosion, and relative biocompatibility. If the material were to replace a weight bearing joint, it must also possess high fracture toughness. A secondary concern is the biological safety of the material; the material cannot be toxic to the human body. Therefore, materials that have a high percentage of allergic cases in humans are unreliable. These restrictions serve collectively as the main challenge to the material selection and creation process of joint replacement.
Cobalt-chromium alloys form a large number of the metal-on-metal bearings that are used in joint replacements, specifically hip replacements. Some of the main advantages of this material are that it is a relatively tough material and is more resistant to wear and degradation than other types of metals. It also allows for smooth motion and the weight bearing necessary for a successful joint. Chromium cobalt also has high strength, an ideal characteristic for any hip or joint replacement. Lastly, the processing of chromium cobalt, such as heat treatments, contribute to its quality as a hip replacement because this work enhances its properties.
Although chromium-cobalt is one of the most commonly used materials for replacements, it does not come without it challenges and flaws. Metal-on-metal bearings, even cobalt-chromium, always come with the concern of metal degradation; implant patients are often found to have elevated amounts of metal in distant parts of the body from the replacement. This could cause serious harmful effects on the body, especially if the person has an allergy to the metal. Also, certain patients cannot benefit from these metal-on-metal bearings due to health limitations and concerns associated with these specific bearings, such as pregnant women and people with poor kidney function.
Works Cited
"Artificial Total Hip Replacements." Wiley. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. wiley.com/college callister/1118061608/case_studies/ch04.pdf.
"ASTM F47 CoCr Alloy." ASTM F 75 CoCr Alloy (n.d.): n. pag. Arcam. Arcam AB. Web.
"Cara. Digital Dental Technology for Laboratory and Dental Office." Properties of Cobalt-chrome Alloys – Heraeus Kulzer Cara. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Computational Thermodynamics." Cobalt-Chromium (Co-Cr) Phase Diagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“DoITPoMS." - TLP Library Structure of Bone and Implant Materials. University of Cambridge, n.d. Web. 15
"Evaluation of Metal-on-Metal Wear of Orthopedic Implants." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Foundation and Research, Jan. 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.co....
"Hip Replacement." Fast Facts About. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Inpatient Surgery." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 May 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Joint Replacement: Implant Bearing Surface Materials." Hospital for Special Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Knee Replacement Implant Materials." BoneSmart. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Plecko, Michael, Christine Sievert, Daniel Andermatt, Robert Frigg, Peter Kronen, Karina Klein, Stefan Stubinger, Katja Nuss, Alexander Burki, Stephen Ferguson, Ulrich Stoeckle, and Brigitte Von Rechenberg. "Osseointegration and Biocompatibility of Different Metal Implants - a Comparative Experimental Investigation in Sheep." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. BioMed Central Ltd, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Science of Bone Cement." Science of Bone Cement. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Understanding Implants in Knee and Hip Replacement." Hospital for Special Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web. 15
"U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: FDA Safety Communication. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Watson, Stephanie. "Could You Be Allergic to a Joint Implant?"
Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis Foundation, n.d. Web.
Wright, Timothy, et al. "Joint Replacement: Implant Bearing Surface Materials." Hospital for Special Surgery. Hospital for Special Surgery, 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://www.hss.edu/conditions_Joint-R... erials-History-Effectiveness-Future.asp#6.
Abstract
The topic that we will be discussing in our video project is the usage of chromium cobalt alloys in joint replacements. We will address the health effects, the stability, and the overall longevity of the replacements in the human body. Joint replacement technologies are important in society because many people suffer joint deterioration throughout their lives. In recent years it has become more common for people to undergo joint replacement surgeries. Therefore, it is important to find the safest and most effective materials for replacements.
One of the main problems with joint replacement technology is finding a material that possesses several important qualities including high tensile strength, high resistance to corrosion, and relative biocompatibility. If the material were to replace a weight bearing joint, it must also possess high fracture toughness. A secondary concern is the biological safety of the material; the material cannot be toxic to the human body. Therefore, materials that have a high percentage of allergic cases in humans are unreliable. These restrictions serve collectively as the main challenge to the material selection and creation process of joint replacement.
Cobalt-chromium alloys form a large number of the metal-on-metal bearings that are used in joint replacements, specifically hip replacements. Some of the main advantages of this material are that it is a relatively tough material and is more resistant to wear and degradation than other types of metals. It also allows for smooth motion and the weight bearing necessary for a successful joint. Chromium cobalt also has high strength, an ideal characteristic for any hip or joint replacement. Lastly, the processing of chromium cobalt, such as heat treatments, contribute to its quality as a hip replacement because this work enhances its properties.
Although chromium-cobalt is one of the most commonly used materials for replacements, it does not come without it challenges and flaws. Metal-on-metal bearings, even cobalt-chromium, always come with the concern of metal degradation; implant patients are often found to have elevated amounts of metal in distant parts of the body from the replacement. This could cause serious harmful effects on the body, especially if the person has an allergy to the metal. Also, certain patients cannot benefit from these metal-on-metal bearings due to health limitations and concerns associated with these specific bearings, such as pregnant women and people with poor kidney function.
Works Cited
"Artificial Total Hip Replacements." Wiley. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. wiley.com/college callister/1118061608/case_studies/ch04.pdf.
"ASTM F47 CoCr Alloy." ASTM F 75 CoCr Alloy (n.d.): n. pag. Arcam. Arcam AB. Web.
"Cara. Digital Dental Technology for Laboratory and Dental Office." Properties of Cobalt-chrome Alloys – Heraeus Kulzer Cara. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Computational Thermodynamics." Cobalt-Chromium (Co-Cr) Phase Diagram. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“DoITPoMS." - TLP Library Structure of Bone and Implant Materials. University of Cambridge, n.d. Web. 15
"Evaluation of Metal-on-Metal Wear of Orthopedic Implants." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Foundation and Research, Jan. 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.co....
"Hip Replacement." Fast Facts About. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Inpatient Surgery." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 May 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Joint Replacement: Implant Bearing Surface Materials." Hospital for Special Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Knee Replacement Implant Materials." BoneSmart. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Plecko, Michael, Christine Sievert, Daniel Andermatt, Robert Frigg, Peter Kronen, Karina Klein, Stefan Stubinger, Katja Nuss, Alexander Burki, Stephen Ferguson, Ulrich Stoeckle, and Brigitte Von Rechenberg. "Osseointegration and Biocompatibility of Different Metal Implants - a Comparative Experimental Investigation in Sheep." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. BioMed Central Ltd, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Science of Bone Cement." Science of Bone Cement. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Understanding Implants in Knee and Hip Replacement." Hospital for Special Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web. 15
"U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: FDA Safety Communication. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Watson, Stephanie. "Could You Be Allergic to a Joint Implant?"
Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis Foundation, n.d. Web.
Wright, Timothy, et al. "Joint Replacement: Implant Bearing Surface Materials." Hospital for Special Surgery. Hospital for Special Surgery, 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 4 Mar. 2015. http://www.hss.edu/conditions_Joint-R... erials-History-Effectiveness-Future.asp#6.
