The utility of zirconia based ceramics for long term load bearing implants are yet to get established. There are concerns over the ageing behaviour of zirrconia based ceramics in the physiological environment. The variability in their ageing behaviour is the concern expressed by many researchers. Zirconia ceramics, starting from yttria stabilized zirconia (YPSZ) onwards have shown inter grannular degradation and corrosion in the physiological environment. hence it would be prodent to wait for more insight into the problem before selecting ZTA for hip joint applications.
You may look at the following article for leads
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.07.034
Application of TZP to orthopaedic implants is being trying from time to time in several locations (as far as I am aware of). However, in additon to concerns listed by Muraleedharan, there were found difficulties in sterilization. Zirconia seems to have partial "hydrolysis" when reacting with steam. Also I heard (not confirmed) that there might be irreversible changes in TZP strcuture upon gamma-sterilization (following agening). Last, wear resistance of zirconia is not much excellent vs. other orthopaedic ceramics.
But there are also positive experience in femoral balls and cups having inside ZTA (
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