Engineers Develop Way to Increase Lifespan of Joint Replacements

Thanks to researchers at the University of Southampton, they may have created a novel method to increase the sometimes shaking lifespan of joint replacements.

According to researchers, they worked to complete a project that will enable surgeons to fit joint replacements with longer life by using computational modeling to define the mechanics of an artificial joint so that joint surgeries are more successful and lifespans of prosthetic joints can give patients more fulfilling.

"Joint replacement surgery substitutes worn-out joint tissues with artificial components. These artificial components will also fail eventually, some after only a few years, with nearly ten per cent of all joint replacement operations in the EU each year taking place to replace prosthetics that have worn out," said Professor Markus Heller, the leader of the XML project, via a press release. "These 'revisions' of joint replacement surgery are complex, require a longer rehabilitation and also come at a substantial cost, with a hip revision estimated to cost €80,000."

Background information from the study states that many times, surgeons have to rely solely on their experience to perform the best replacement procedures possible. If a problem occurs, there are no long-term solutions to resolve the situation.

The ICT systems created by the MXL project, which was funded by the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme, will help to enable a more cost-effective development of robust prosthesis designs. Researchers note that it will also help to provide a safer, more optimal route for joint surgery.

"We developed a 3D musculoskeletal model, with data on the variations in bone shape and tissue density, which has enabled advanced biomechanical assessment of the joint reconstruction," Heller added, via the release. "The development of this specialised software allows the automated positioning of implants and allows us to modify implant size and position, to address individual patient needs. The intention is, that this technology will lead to increased patient safety and improved lifespan of joint replacement prosthetics."