Radial head component prosthesis, which consists of a thumbtack-like piece with a cobalt chromium alloy bottom and a polyethylene cover on top; the bottom metal piece has a flat circular head that is smooth on top and coated with P.C.A. 400µ balls on the bottom; the bottom centre has an attached th…
Radial head component prosthesis, which consists of a thumbtack-like piece with a cobalt chromium alloy bottom and a polyethylene cover on top; the bottom metal piece has a flat circular head that is smooth on top and coated with P.C.A. 400µ balls on the bottom; the bottom centre has an attached three-sided spike; this spike has three V-shaped sides with smooth inner edges and notched outer edges; the tip of the spike is a blunt point; the top of the metal bottom has a polyethylene cover that covers the top and sides; there is a round indentation in the centre.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Research material used at the Human Mobility Research Centre.
Dates
1989
circa 1989
Material
metal: silver
polyethylene: off-white
Inscriptions
One side of the spike has, "S //W // L" etched into the metal; another side of the spike has, "S // I // Z // D // B // O // I" etched into the metal.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E2-6
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Depth 1.9 cm x Diameter 2.0 cm
Condition Remarks
The metal shows minor wear only; no corrosion is visible; there is some unidentified residue on the bottom; the polyethylene shows minor wear; no staining is visible.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. Charles Sorbie; Mr. Gerald Saunders; "The Sorbie–Questor ® Total Elbow Surgical Technique", by Wright Medical Technology, Inc., 1997, pp. 2-3
Research Facts
An engineer and two orthopedic surgeons first developed beads on metal in 1970; Howmedica developed a 400µ ball P.C.A. (porus-coated anatomic) system; the purpose of the beads is for bone to grow around the prosthesis after it is implanted; the polyethylene cover provides a low-friction surface where the joint actually moves; current examples of this type of prosthesis are cemented in place.
Exhibit History
"Joint Ventures," Museum of Health Care, Nov. 19, 2001-Jan. 2013