Increased volumetric wear of polyethylene liners with more than 3 years of shelf-life time

We analyzed 20 retrieved gamma-sterilized polyethylene liners (Biomet Hexloc). The long-term durability varied significantly depending on shelf-life time before implantation. Liners with a shelf-life time of 3 years or more evinced significantly ( P 0.002) higher volumetric wear than those with a sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International orthopaedics 2003, Vol.27 (3), p.153-159
Main Authors: PUOLAKKA, T. J. S, KERÄNEN, J. T, JUHOLA, K. A, PAJAMÄKI, K. J. J, HALONEN, P. J, NEVALAINEN, J. K, SAIKKO, V, LEHTO, M. U. K, JÄRVINEN, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Coated Materials, Biocompatible
Cohort Studies
Equipment Failure Analysis
Female
Hip Prosthesis
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Materials Testing
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Original Paper
Osteoarticular system. Muscles
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Polyethylene - chemistry
Probability
Prosthesis Design
Prosthesis Failure
Statistics, Nonparametric
Stress, Mechanical
Surface Properties
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments
Tensile Strength
Time Factors
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Summary:We analyzed 20 retrieved gamma-sterilized polyethylene liners (Biomet Hexloc). The long-term durability varied significantly depending on shelf-life time before implantation. Liners with a shelf-life time of 3 years or more evinced significantly ( P 0.002) higher volumetric wear than those with a shelf life time less than 3 years. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning calorimetry showed that all explanted implants underwent substantial in vivo oxidation and crystallization. The oxidative ageing of polyethylene renders the polyethylene liner susceptible to severe wear. Scanning electron microscopy of the bearing surface of the liner revealed abrasive wear as a dominant mechanism. Moreover, poor acetabular design produces excessively thin liners, substandard locking mechanism, and backside wear of the liner. The primary reason for severe wear in the Hexloc liner was poor modular design and oxidative degradation of the polyethylene.
ISSN:0341-2695
1432-5195
DOI:10.1007/s00264-003-0454-9