Shannen Chacko Rajan
Investigating the failure of knee prostheses.
Email: s.chacko-rajan2@ncl.ac.uk
Project supervisors
- Professor Tom Joyce
- Dr Oana Bretcanu
- Dr David Deehan
Project description
Knee replacement is one of the most common joint replacement operations in the world. In the UK, the number of primary knee replacements has been increasing over the years and with it the number of revision procedures.
Revision surgeries are complex procedures. They carry both a greater risk for patients and greater cost for the treating hospital than a primary. There are many factors that lead to the failure of knee prostheses.
The increased surface roughness of the metal component causes wear of the polyethene. This is one of the key factors leading to failure of knee prostheses.
My project focuses on analysing total and partial (unicondylars and patellofemorals) knee prostheses. My research will provide a better understanding of the causes of failure.
I am focusing on analysing the effects of roughness of Cobalt-Chromium (CoCr) alloy and Oxidised Zirconium (OxZr) components on Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMEPE) and Highly Cross-linked Polyethylene (HXLPE).
Publications
- Rajan SC, Bretcanu O, Weir DJ, Deehan DJ, Joyce TJ. First tribological assessment of retrieved Oxinium patellofemoral prostheses. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 2019, 90, 665-672.
Interests
Biotribology, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Tissue Engineering, Apologetics
Qualifications
Master of Science