Quantitative Measurements of Backside Wear in Acetabular Hip Joint Replacement: Conventional Polyethylene Versus Cross-Linked Polyethylene

Abstract

As shown in previous studies, the modification of conventional polyethylene (CPE) to cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and the contribution of antioxidants result in a reduction in total wear. The aim of this study was to evaluate XLPE inserts with vitamin E and CPE regarding their resistance to the backside wear mechanism. A cementless hip cup system (Plasmafit® Plus 7, Aesculap) was dynamically loaded using CPE and XLPE inserts. The backside wear was isolated, generated and collected using the two-chamber principle. The chambers were filled with ultrapure water. After 2 × 106 cycles, the fluids were examined for wear particles according to a particle analysis. Using XLPE inserts, the backside wear was significantly reduced by 35%. While XLPE backside wear particles are significantly larger than CPE particles, they do not differ in their morphology. This study confirms the greater resistance to backside wear of XLPE compared to CPE. It can be assumed that the improved fatigue resistance of the vitamin E-stabilized XLPE inserts demonstrates XLPE’s effectiveness against micro-motion and the resulting changing tensions in interface areas like surface breakdown, pitting and the release of very small particles.

Future Prospects for Clinical Applications of Nanocarbons Focusing on Carbon Nanotubes

“…Table is modified from a study by Takanashi et al [128] Since ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in artificial joint sliding elements wears quickly, [132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140][141] crosslinked UHMWPE is often used in total hip arthroplasty (THA). [142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152] However, crosslinked UHMWPE has low impact resistance and is hence easily breakable, with several published cases of breakage in THA. [153][154][155][156][157][158][159] For the same reason, crosslinked UHMWPE is avoided for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which involves the convex contact of joint components.…”

Mixed material wear particle isolation from periprosthetic tissue surrounding total joint replacements

“…The progressive reduction of wear at the primary bearing surface has made isolating lower volumes of wear particles more challenging, requiring the development of more sensitive methods 14–17 . In addition, the focus of research has somewhat changed to surfaces other than the primary bearing, such as the backside of acetabular liners or cups and corrosion at modular junctions 18–21 . These changing requirements emphasize the importance of isolating and characterizing wear particles produced across all wear modes 22 …”

“…[14][15][16][17] In addition, the focus of research has somewhat changed to surfaces other than the primary bearing, such as the backside of acetabular liners or cups and corrosion at modular junctions. [18][19][20][21] These changing requirements emphasize the importance of isolating and characterizing wear particles produced across all wear modes. 22 The production of mixed wear particle populations was recognized in early generations of joint replacement 23 and wear particle isolation methods were developed to isolate both high and low density materials concurrently.…”

Special Issue “Novel Research about Biomechanics and Biomaterials Used in Hip, Knee and Related Joints”

“…The main aspects that are addressed in this Special Issue are related to new materials, the design and manufacturing considerations of implants [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], implant wear and its potential clinical consequences [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], implant fixation [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], infection-related material aspects [ 20 , 21 ] and taper-related research topics [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”