Comparison of Steady State Femoral Head Penetration Rates Between Two Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylenes in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Whittaker, John-Paul; Charron, Kory D.; McCalden, Richard W.; MacDonald, Steven J.; Bourne, Robert B.

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2009.05.006

« Previous Next »The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 25, Issue 5 , Pages 680-686, August 2010

Comparison of Steady State Femoral Head Penetration Rates Between Two Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylenes in Total Hip Arthroplasty

John-Paul Whittaker, MB ChB, FRCS (T&O)
- London Health Sciences Center, Rossett, Wrexham, UK
- Reprint requests: Richard W. McCalden, Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, 339 Windermere Rd, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5.
Kory D. Charron, Dipl MET
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, University Campus, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5
Richard W. McCalden, MD, MPhil, FRCS (C)
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, University Campus, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5
Steven J. MacDonald, MD, FRCS (C)
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, University Campus, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5
Robert B. Bourne, MD, FRCS (C)
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, University Campus, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5

Received 25 January 2009; accepted 5 May 2009. published online 06 July 2009.

Abstract

Given that the manufacture of highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) is not standardized, the behavior of these materials may vary. Our study compares minimum 5-year steady state femoral head penetration rates using the Martell method, in 2 HXPLEs produced by different manufacturers. Patients received a primary hip arthroplasty using an uncemented acetabular component with an HXLPE liner and a 28-mm femoral head. Forty-seven patients in group A received an HXLPE liner (Reflection XLPE, Smith and Nephew Inc, Memphis, Tenn), and 36 patients in group B received a different HXLPE liner (Longevity, Zimmer Inc, Warsaw, Ind). Average follow-up was 6.42 years in group A and 7.64 years in group B. The steady state head penetration rates were not significantly (P > .05) different between the HXPLE groups over the midterm with 0.026 mm/y and 0.025 mm/y in groups A and B, respectively.

Keywords: martell, wear, total hip arthroplasty, outcomes, polyethylene