• Mustafa S Rashid and Rhys Pullin.
• Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Poplar Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 7JE, UK, Mustafa.rashid@doctors.org.uk.
• Eur J Orthop Surg Tr. 2014 Jan 1; 24 (1): 1-6.

AbstractAcoustic emission technology has been developed and extensively used as a non-destructive method of testing within engineering. In recent years, acoustic emission has gained popularity within the field of Orthopaedic research in a variety of situations. It is an attractive method in the detection of flaws within structures due its high sensitivity and non-destructive nature. The aim of this article is firstly to critically review the research conducted using acoustic emission testing in a variety of Orthopaedic-related situations and to present the technique to the wider Orthopaedic community. A summary of the principles and practical aspects of using acoustic emission testing are outlined. Acoustic emission has been validated as a method of early detection of aseptic loosening in femoral components in total hip arthroplasty in several well-conducted in vitro studies [1-3]. Other studies have used acoustic emission to detect microdamage in bone and to assess the biomechanical properties of bone and allografts [9]. Researchers have also validated the use of acoustic emission to detect and monitor fracture healing [4]. Several studies have applied acoustic emission to spinal surgery and specifically to assess the biomechanical environment in titanium mesh cages used in spinal surgery [10, 11]. Despite its growing popularity within Orthopaedic research, acoustic emission remains are relatively unfamiliar technique to the majority of Orthopaedic surgeons.

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