Orthopedic implants comprising components of zirconium or zirconium-based
alloys having surfaces coated with oxidized zirconium contacting other
surface-coated oxidized zirconium are disclosed. Such implants provide low
friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial
joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc., but also useful in
non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.
