Clinical Results of the Wear Performance of Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Prospective Randomized Trial

To investigate the clinical results of cross-linked polyethylene (CLPE) and to compare the CLPE wear against zirconia and stainless steel heads, we studied the radiographic wear after a minimum 3-year follow-up in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Ninety-four hips were randomly implanted with a 22.225-mm head cemented THA—the group of non-CLPE against zirconia and CLPE against 2 different zirconias and stainless steel. The linear wear rate was significantly lower in the group of CLPE against zirconia (0.067, 0.059 mm/y) and against stainless steel (0.068 mm/y) compared with non-CLPE against zirconia (0.170 mm/y). In the short-term results, the wear performance of CLPE against zirconia was superior to that of non-CLPE; however, it did not show a better wear rate than CLPE against stainless steel. Furthermore, long-term investigations will be necessary for understanding CLPE wear in vivo.