Short-term wear of Japanese highly cross-linked polyethylene in cementless THA.
BACKGROUND
Production of polyethylene wear from acetabular liners is thought, in part, to mediate the periprosthetic osteolysis. This study examined the in vivo wear performance of Japanese highly cross-linked polyethylene (Aeonian) in cementless total hip arthroplasty.


METHODS
Ninety-five hips received a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner, while 20 hips were implanted with conventional polyethylene. Two-dimensional linear wear was measured on radiographs and volumetric wear was then calculated. Both linear and volumetric wear rates were examined for the 1-year postoperative period as well as for the time frame beginning after 1 year ending with the final follow-up.


RESULTS
The amount of linear wear was significantly lower in the cross-linked group at 3 and 5 years postoperatively (P < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively). Linear and volumetric wear rates after 1 year postoperatively for hips with the cross-linked polyethylene were significantly reduced by 57 and 59%, respectively, when compared to rates for those who received conventional polyethylene (P < 0.01). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that cross-linking was a significant factor influencing linear wear rate after 1 year postoperatively with an odds ratio, exp(ss) = 10.033 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the highly cross-linked polyethylene reduces penetration of the femoral head and may be an optimal bearing surface for patients receiving total hip arthroplasty.
Miyanishi
Keita
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyushu Rosai Hospital, 1-3-1 Kuzuharatakamatsu, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan. keitamiya@jcom.home.ne.jp
Hara
Toshihiko
T
Kaminomachi
Shigekazu
S
Maekawa
Masayuki
M
Iwamoto
Mikio
M
Torisu
Takehiko
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D020959:Polyethylene