The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 151-155, January 2008

Technical and Histologic Analysis of a Retrieved Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone Composite Alumina-Bearing Liner 28 Months After Implantation

  • Nicola Pace, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Nicola Pace, MD, Unità Operativa Ortopedia e Traumatologia, ASUR Regione Marche, Zona Territoriale n°5, Jesi, Viale della Vittoria, 79, 60035 Jesi, Italy.
    • ,
  • Mario Marinelli, MD
    • ,
  • Stefania Spurio, MD

Unità Operativa Ortopedia e Traumatologia, ASUR Regione Marche, Jesi, Italy

Received 20 July 2005; accepted 12 July 2006.

Abstract 

A new innovative low-wear bearing for use in total hip arthroplasty, a wear couple consisting of carbon fiber–reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (CF-PEEK), has been shown to be highly biocompatible and to have excellent tribological performance in the laboratory. We report the results of our technical and histologic analysis of a CF-PEEK composite acetabular cup component articulating against an alumina-head total hip arthroplasty prosthesis retrieved because of posttrauma infection from a patient in whom the components had been in place for 28 months. Histologic findings showed only a small amount of particles from the composite insert in the patient's periprosthetic tissue. Additional clinical study is necessary to estimate the relevant in vivo wear performance of CF-PEEK liners.

Key words: total hip arthroplasty, carbon fiber, poly-ether-ether-ketone, composite acetabular component, histology

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of this study.

PII: S0883-5403(06)00627-9

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.07.012

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 151-155, January 2008

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