Orthopedic implants can fail in a bond-weakening process called "aseptic loosening."

Orthopedic implants are often used to replace bone in failing joints.  But when a patient receives a hip replacement (for example), there are a few potential failure modes.  For example, the replacement joint can be infected.  But there’s also a failure mode called “aseptic loosening,” where the connection between bone and implant weakens.  One factor that may be important in aseptic loosening is bacterial adhesion to the implant, preventing good bone contact.  To investigate the situation, researchers at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Yokohama City University School of Medicine removed problem implants, placed them in an ultrasonic cleaner for five minutes to remove adherent organisms, then analyzed the sonication fluid.

For further information visit www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• 

•