Advanced Biomaterials in Hip Joint Arthroplasty. A Review on Polymer and Ceramics Composites as Alternative Bearings

Wear of total hip prosthesis is a significant clinical problem that nowadays involve a growing number of patients. To acquire further knowledge on the tribological phenomena that involve hip prosthesis, wear tests are conducted on new biomaterials to increase materials life in orthopaedic implants. Advances in biomaterials for biomedical purposes have enhanced in the last years evolving in new improved ceramic and polymeric materials producing the so-called composite materials. This paper aims to review the evolution and the current state of the art of the ceramics composites and polymers commonly used in orthopaedic field as hip joint implants. This is specified through a schematic overview by describing, in particular, the evolution of various composites materials. The authors propose commentary on the evolution and current use of biomaterials for orthopaedic application on the evolution and actually used biomaterials for orthopaedic applications.