Tribological conditions in mobile bearing total knee prostheses

► Loading and kinematic conditions occurring in human knee joints are reviewed. ► Elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis of knee prosthesis is carried out for typical human activities. ► Lubricant film thickness and pressure distributions are determined. ► Effects of different material combinations on lubricant film thickness and contact pressure are analyzed. ► Implications for wear of tibial knee bearings made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene are discussed.