Short-term wear of Japanese highly cross-linked polyethylene in cementless THA

INTRODUCTION: Production of polyethylene wear from acetabular liners is thought, in part, to mediate the periprosthetic osteolysis. This study examined the in vivo wear performance of Japanese highly cross-linked polyethylene (Aeonian) in cementless total hip arthroplasty. MATHERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five hips received a highly cross-linked polyethylene liner, while 20 hips were implanted with conventional polyethylene. Two-dimensional linear wear was measured on radiographs and volumetric wear was then calculated. Both linear and volumetric wear rates were examined for the 1-year postoperative period as well as for the time frame beginning after 1 year ending with the final follow-up. RESULTS: The amount of linear wear was significantly lower in the cross-linked group at 3 and 5 years postoperatively (P < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively). Linear and volumetric wear rates after 1 year postoperatively for hips with the cross-linked polyethylene were significantly reduced by 57 and 59%, respectively, when compared to rates for those who received conventional polyethylene (P < 0.01). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that cross-linking was a significant factor influencing linear wear rate after 1 year postoperatively with an odds ratio, exp(ss) = 10.033 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the highly cross-linked polyethylene reduces penetration of the femoral head and may be an optimal bearing surface for patients receiving total hip arthroplasty.