Non-invasive technologies for diagnostics of orthopaedic implant fixation

Abstract

One of the most important human intervention is a total hip replacement (THR) that has the goal of pain relief and performance restoration. From early 1960, THR comes a long way and now more than one million patients all around the world every year have THR. Against all these facts, 4%–10% of all THR are failed mostly due to loosening. Precise and fast detection is vital for both surgeons and patients. The diagnosis approaches are generally classified into two groups: conventional non-imaging and imaging approaches. Imaging approaches are the most widely used because they are most cost-effective, convenient and available. However, some shortcomings are obvious in the conventional imaging methods of diagnosing prosthesis loosening. Consequently, new techniques have been further developed and recommended based on non-destructive analysis such as vibrometery, telemetry and acoustic.