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Basic Science
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Tribology and Wear

Biomaterials

A 68-year-old patient with a metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement presents 15 years post-operatively with progressive groin pain. Radiographs show osteolysis around the acetabular component. A first-year trainee asks about the basic science of wear. Regarding tribology in joint replacement:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Tribology is the study of friction, lubrication, and wear between interacting surfaces in relative m...

B

Friction is the resistance to motion between two surfaces in contact; the coefficient of friction (μ...

C

Tribology only applies to metal bearings and has no relevance to natural joints; high friction is de...

D

Lubrication regimes in joints include: boundary lubrication (thin fluid film, surfaces in partial co...

E

Natural synovial fluid provides excellent lubrication with coefficient of friction as low as 0.001-0...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option