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Solubility changes in shelf-aged ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular liners
D Pienkowski1, A Patel, K Y Lee
1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0284, USA. pienkow@pop.uky.edu
Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants
|June 10, 2000
Summary
Shelf-aging significantly degrades crosslinking in polyethylene acetabular liners, impacting long-term performance. Controlling this degradation is crucial for improving total joint implant durability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopaedic Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Polyethylene acetabular liners are critical components in total joint implants.
- Crosslinking is a process used to enhance polyethylene's wear resistance.
- Understanding the long-term stability of crosslinking in implants is essential for clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the degradation of crosslinking in shelf-aged polyethylene acetabular liners over 10 years.
- To compare the crosslinking degradation of shelf-aged liners with in vivo-aged retrieved acetabular cups.
- To investigate the effect of material location on crosslinking in aged and unaged liners.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a hot xylene extraction protocol to measure insolubility (crosslinking).
- Analyzed polyethylene acetabular liners aged for 10 years under shelf conditions.
- Examined crosslinking variations with depth in aged liners and radial location in unaged liners.
Main Results:
- New polyethylene liners exhibited 87% insolubility (crosslinking).
- After 10 years of shelf-aging, insolubility decreased to 45%.
- Crosslinking degradation in shelf-aged liners mirrored that of retrieved, in vivo-aged acetabular cups.
Conclusions:
- Shelf-aging leads to significant crosslinking degradation in polyethylene acetabular liners.
- This degradation is comparable to that seen in retrieved implants, suggesting similar aging mechanisms.
- Controlling crosslinking degradation is vital for enhancing the wear resistance and long-term clinical performance of polyethylene orthopaedic components in total joint replacements.