title: Oxidative properties and surface damage mechanisms of remelted highly crosslinked polyethylenes in total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Remelted highly crosslinked polyethylenes (HXLPEs) were introduced in total knee replacement (TKR) starting in 2001 to reduce wear and particle-induced lysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the damage mechanisms and oxidative stability of remelted HXLPEs used in TKR.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 186 posteriorly stabilised tibial components were retrieved at consecutive revision operations. Sixty nine components were identified as remelted HXLPE. The conventional inserts were implanted for 3.4 ± 2.7 years, while the remelted components were implanted 1.4 ± 1.2 years. Oxidation was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Remelted HXLPE inserts exhibited lower oxidation indices compared to conventional inserts. We were able to detect slight regional differences within the HXLPE cohort, specifically at the bearing surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remelted HXLPE was effective at reducing oxidation in comparison to gamma inert sterilised controls. Additional long-term HXLPE retrievals are necessary to ascertain the long term in vivo stability of these materials in TKR.
authors: Implant Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Daniel W
authors: DW
authors: MacDonald
authors: Genymphas
authors: G
authors: Higgs
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Parvizi
authors: Gregg
authors: G
authors: Klein
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Hartzband
authors: Harlan
authors: H
authors: Levine
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Kraay
authors: Clare M
authors: CM
authors: Rimnac
authors: Steven M
authors: SM
authors: Kurtz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D020878:Device Removal; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D012086:Reoperation; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013242:Sterilization
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020959:Polyethylene
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