Porous Tantalum and Titanium Implants for Joint Replacement and Bone Reconstruction
This community investigates the design, biomechanics, and clinical outcomes of metallic implants—specifically porous tantalum and titanium—used for total joint arthroplasty, revision surgery, and the repair of complex bone defects.
The work centers on the mechanical and biological performance of porous metallic scaffolds, with a heavy focus on total knee and hip arthroplasty, revision total hip replacement, and acetabular bone reconstruction. Recurring themes include the optimization of pore structure for bone ingrowth, the use of finite element modeling to predict implant stability, and the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The literature frequently compares cementless fixation techniques using trabecular metal against traditional materials, while also addressing anterior cervical spine fusion and the clinical management of bone loss.
The largest share of this community’s output is found in tantalum research, accounting for 3.8% of all tracked tantalum studies. This element also contributes the highest paper count within the group, with 1,440 papers. Titanium research follows, representing 0.3% of tracked titanium studies and contributing 880 papers to this community.
The community comprises 6,478 papers, published primarily in The Journal of Arthroplasty, Acta Orthopaedica, and BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Recent work continues to focus on the long-term outcomes of patellofemoral and total knee arthroplasty, as well as the application of additively manufactured tantalum-titanium alloys for load-bearing orthopedic implants.