title: Total knee prosthesis polyethylene wear reduction by a new  metal part finishing method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess a new metal component finishing designed to improve total knee prosthesis durability. Wear of ultrahigh molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), with generation of submicrometer- and micrometer-sized particles, has been associated with osteolysis and artificial joint failure. Wear extent is influenced by several factors, some of which are related to manufacturing.
  
  
  METHODS
  UHMWPE wear was assessed in metal prosthesis components finished with the Microloy® technology and in traditionally finished components by wear simulation experiments (pin on disk and knee simulator tests) and analysis of wear debris.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microloy®-finished prosthesis showed a 48.5% reduction in UHMWPE total weight loss compared with traditional components (P=0.002). A statistically significant (P<0.05) reduction of UHMWPE debris were detected from the Microloy®-finished compared with the traditionally finished components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest the Microloy® metal finishing may enhance the long-term performance of knee prostheses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona - Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cigna
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzotti
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salvolini
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattioli-Belmonte
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D020959:Polyethylene