The effect of aspherical geometry and surface texturing on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of metal-on-metal hip prostheses under physiological loading and motions

Abstract

As an alternative material combination, metal-on-metal (MOM) hip replacement has attracted a revived interest due to its very low wear rates. In this article, an elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis is performed for an MOM hip replacement with specific geometrical designs: a macro Alpharabola geometry of the cup bearing surface and micro-dimples on the head surface. The corresponding numerical methodology is presented and full numerical solutions are obtained. The effect of the macro- and micro-geometrical designs on the lubrication performance is investigated, under both simplified and physiological walking conditions. The real physiological loading and motion conditions are important to be considered when optimizing the conformity-associated geometry of hip bearings. The Alpharabola geometry of cup bearing surface is found to significantly improve the lubricating film thickness and reduce hydrodynamic pressure of MOM hip implants, when the Alpharabola minimum radius is aligned with the loading direction. Dimpled surface texturing has an adverse effect in a fluid film lubrication regime under the conditions considered in this study.