An Experimental Study of an Advanced Polymeric Material for Use in Total Knee Replacements Including Gait Analysis of Mobile Knee Bearings

The primary objectives of this research were to clinically examine the New Jersey Low Contact Stress (LCS)™ Rotating Platform and Meniscal knee bearing systems and to investigate the tribological properties of a new polymer for potential application in total joint replacement. Thus, clinical studies were performed on subjects having the LCSTM Rotating Platform knee bearing and subjects having the LCS™ meniscal knee bearing. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the braking force for both implant groups when compared to a control group. There was also a statistically significant difference noted for the LCS™ Rotating Platform group with regards to propulsion force and time spent during stance phase. The tribological studies demonstrated that LaRCTM_SI (3% Offset) along with particulate reinforcements of Graphite, Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3), X-903 and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) produced significantly higher wear rates than the reference material, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). The results obtained for the coefficient of friction demonstrated higher values when compared to the reference material, UHMWPE.