title: Factors contributing to the wear of polyethylene in clinical practice.
abstract: Wear of polyethylene is a major contributor in the failure of total joint replacement. A number of different factors may predispose to increased wear of polyethylene. These can be broadly categorized as (i) material polymorphism, (ii) poor design features and (iii) three-body wear. Many of these factors contribute to the wear encountered in clinical practice. These mechanisms are reviewed and examples identified in which they have resulted in increased wear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bristol.
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Learmonth
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001863:Bone Screws; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals; D011095:Polyethylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals; D011095:Polyethylenes