Investigation of the individual operational resource of the hip joint endoprosthesis

In most clinical cases the operational durability of the hip endoprosthesis is limited by physiological changes in the bone tissue accompanied by stability loss of the implant fixation in the bone hole. The problem of the durability of the endoprosthesis structure itself is considered solved, but the existing standards for testing the strength and wear resistance of the implant guarantee its reliability only in a limited period of time. The capabilities of modern diagnostic equipment make it possible to determine individual physiological loads on the hip joint and ensure control over the individual operational resource of the artificial joint. An experimental study of the physical activity parameters of two patients with an installed hip replacement was conducted to determine the real values of the operational loads parameters on the artificial joint. After the operation the patients underwent a course of postoperative rehabilitation, went to work and used the endoprosthesis in the mode of natural daily routine and fulfillment of their professional duties. The study showed the "guaranteed" operational resource of the endoprosthesis is limited to a 2-5 years period. The proposed algorithm for determining individual functional loads on an artificial joint can be used in developing a strategy for postoperative control of the patient, planning the timing of revision intervention, as well as in the development and implementation of personalized protocols for preclinical testing of implants.