Abstract
In this study, we compare the in vivo wear performance of electron beam-irradiated, postirradiation-melted, highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) and traditional UHMWPE via the Martell method. Seventy hips with HXLPE performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital had 138 radiograph pairs for wear analysis and a 31.2-month average follow-up (range, 24-44 months). An age-matched, sex-matched, and body mass index-matched subgroup of 111 hips with 214 acceptable radiograph pairs and a 4-year follow-up from our previously published study on traditional polyethylene performed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center served as a control group. Martell wear analysis was performed for each group. Overall and steady-state wear rates were compared via a specialized t test. The steady-state wear in the HXLPE arm was observed after 2.0 years, was 0.007 mm/y, and was significantly less than the steady-state wear in the traditional arm (0.174 mm/y) (P = .003). Highly cross-linked polyethylene penetration rate was not affected by sex, age, activity, or body mass index by Mann-Whitney analysis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 880-886 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Arthroplasty |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2005 |
Keywords
- Bedding-in
- Electron beam cross-linked polyethylene
- Polyethylene wear
- Steady-state wear
- Traditional polyethylene
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine