Oxidized Zirconium in Total Joint Arthroplasty

In vivo roughening of cobalt chrome bearing surfaces, which can increase ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear, may occur in total hip and knee arthroplasty. Ceramic surfaces are more scratch-resistant than metal and less susceptible to in vivo roughening. Oxidized zirconium implants consist of a zirconium-2.5% niobium (Zr-2.5NB) alloy substrate with a relatively thick ceramic oxide surface. Multiple in vitro wear studies have consistently demonstrated lower wear rates with oxidized zirconium compared with cobalt chrome under clean and abrasive conditions and early clinical studies demonstrate favorable results with oxidized zirconium, suggesting that this material may improve the durability of total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Keywords: oxidized zirconium, cobalt chrome, UHMWPE wear, wear rates