A Finite Element Model for the Analysis of Squeaking Hips

The hip is the second largest articulation of the human body, with its primary role in locomotion. It is exposed to a high number of risks first of all the wear which causes its correct functioning. In some cases, the damages suffered by this articulation can be such as to require its total replacement (Total Hip Replacement -THR-). In recent years with the growing of ceramics materials both for femoral head and for acetabular cup (hard on hard bearings), it has been observed a dynamical phenomenon known as squeaking which should cause a premature failure of the implant. Aim of this paper is to present a Finite Element Model in order to investigate the influence of main prostheses geometrical parameters on its first ten modes of vibration. The obtained results are a good agreement with the available literature data showing a general decreasing of the first six natural frequencies with the increasing of the implants.