A hands-on approach to biomechanics education in total hip arthroplasty

Total hip replacement has become commonplace in the United States and elsewhere as the musculoskeletal system is unable to keep up with an individual's increased activity and life span. In the United States alone 120,000 hip replacements are carried out each year out of which 8-9% fail after surgery and the remaining last between 10 to 12 years. Biomedical engineers are, therefore, in particular demand to analyze current problems, and to design and evaluate new and innovative hip implant designs. In this report, a hands-on approach to biomechanics education in the area of total hip arthroplasty and its evaluation by students is described.