In vivo UHMWPE biodegradation of retrieved prosthesis.
Sixty-two ultra high molecular weight polyethylene prosthetic components (PEs) (31 tibial plateaux and 31 cups), sterilised by gamma rays or ethylene oxide (EtO), were retrieved after 1-12 years depending on different medical reasons and were studied by FTIR spectroscopy with derivatisation of oxidised species. Esters, acids and hydroperoxides were found under the surface of the EtO sterilised PEs up to 2 mm depth. The behaviour of gamma ray sterilised PEs is more complex due to the oxidation following the sterilisation process. Ester and acid formation might arise from the diffusion of components of synovial liquid or from the oxidation process, whereas hydroperoxide formation is thought to be due to the oxidation. Abrasion and delamination process is discussed considering the topological distribution of degradation products.
Costa
L
L
Dipartimento di Chimica Inorganica, Chimica Fisica e Chimica dei Materiali, Università di Torino, Italy. costa@silver.ch.unito.it
Luda
M P
MP
Trossarelli
L
L
Brach del Prever
E M
EM
Crova
M
M
Gallinaro
P
P
D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005027:Ethylene Oxide; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011095:Polyethylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; D005027:Ethylene Oxide