Electronic Letters to:

Knee: A. Lakdawala, S. Todo, and G. Scott The significance of surface changes on retrieved femoral components after total knee replacement J Bone Joint Surg Br 2005; 87-B: 796-799 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Measuring surface changes

E. Alexander Reeves   (16 June 2005)

Measuring surface changes 16 June 2005
E. Alexander Reeves, Research Engineer Biomet UK Ltd Send letter to journal: Re: Measuring surface changes alex.reeves{at}biometeurope.com E. Alexander Reeves	Sir, I read this paper with interest and wish to make some observations on it from an engineer's viewpoint. The authors used a profilometer to measure smooth and scratched regions of retrieved total knee femoral components. They found no statistical difference in the roughness and concluded that well-aligned and well-fixed femoral components that are scratched need not be revised. I contacted the first author and have determined that he did not use the correct settings on the profilometer and therefore did not measure the surfaces correctly. I have suggested to him that he repeat the measurements and he therefore may reach different conclusions concerning revision. May I suggest that clinical authors have a co-author who is an engineer, or refer to colleagues who are enginners when presenting topics (including wear and finite element stress analysis) so that we can together create meaningful results? E. A. REEVES, BEng, PhD, AMIMechE Biomet UK Ltd