The Lubrication in Natural Synovial Joints and Joint Prostheses

Abstract

Natural joints exhibiting excellent performance under reciprocating slow speed and high loading conditions have a prominent lubrication mechanism as an adaptive multimode lubrieation, where elastohydrodynamic fluid film plays the main role supported by various supplimental lubrication mechanisms. In contrast, most of the existing joint prostheses operate not under fluid film but under mixed lubrication, which induces some tribological problems such as loosening and wear. Thus, recent investigations on the lubrication mechanisms in natural synovial joints and total replacement joints are reviewed, and then subjects on lubrication and wear in joint prostheses and optimum design of joint prostheses with artifieial cartilage are discussed.