synovial fluid?

[Tin Soldier]

I'm just going to ask, I searched and was having a hard time finding the info in the text.

After RS, does the joint still have synovial fluid?  Is the synovial membrane retained and working such that it will continue to produce fluid?  If so, then why do we have implants that are only a few microns apart?  Why can't an implant be made so that the joint is separated by fluid and the capsule (boot) really holds it all in, just like a natural healthy joint?

Hey guys, I'm onto something.  I'm going to see if I can make a hip joint in the shop with some chromoly, cornstarch and water, and a rubber boot to hold it all together.   8)  Yeah, I know, that was probably done in the 40s or something, but you see where I'm going?  Why does a healthy joint basically float on hydraulic fluid (synovial fluid), the cartiladge doesn't meet, unless there is hard impact.  Why can't an MOM implant have the same spacing and fluid?

[Lopsided]

Why can't an MOM implant have the same spacing and fluid?

It has the same fluid and smaller spacing. The gap between the two elements is about a hundred microns, plus or minus, depending on the brand of and size of device. The device is machined a whole lot better than your original hip (which was not machined as such), and is lubricated by the synovial fluid. The surgeon should preserve the hip capsule.