title: Oxidative degradation in highly cross-linked and conventional polyethylene after 2 years of real-time shelf aging.
abstract: Previous studies have reported oxidative degradation of conventional polyethylene (PE) components during shelf aging, following radiation. However, no studies have yet reported data concerning the effect of real-time shelf aging in the manufacturer's packaging on the oxidative degradation of commercially available highly cross-linking PE components. The null hypothesis tested was that in either highly cross-linked or conventional PE acetabular components there would be no significant difference in the amount of oxidative degradation between time zero PE liners and PE liners that had been real-time shelf aged for 2 years in their respective packaging. The results of the study indicated that after 2 years of real-time shelf aging, negligible oxidative degradation occurred with minimal changes in oxidation index, density, and percent crystallinity in commercially available highly cross-linked and conventional PE acetabular liners. These data suggested that oxidative degradation was not a clinical issue in the highly cross-linked and conventional PE components examined after 2 years of real-time shelf aging. It is likely that current manufacturing and packaging technologies have limited the previous clinical concerns related to oxidative degradation during shelf aging of highly cross-linked and conventional PE components.
authors.affiliation: Bone & Joint Research Lab (151F), SLC VA Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA.
authors.forename: Bettina M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Willie
authors.forename: Roy D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bloebaum
authors.forename: Shadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashrafi
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dearden
authors.forename: Trina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steffensen
authors.forename: Aaron A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019064:Product Packaging; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes