Ceramic on crosslinked polyethylene in total hip replacement: any better than metal on crosslinked polyethylene?

The authors evaluated the use of ceramic femoral heads on crosslinked polyethylene bearing couples versus metal on crosslinked polyethylene couples in a consecutive series of hips performed by a single surgeon over a one year interval. Ceramic femoral heads and more extensively crosslinked polyethylene were used more commonly in the younger aged patients with utilization of ceramic heads in patients average age 50.2 versus 63.9 for metal heads, and utilization of more extensively crosslinked polyethylene in patients average age 54.1 versus 77.2 years for patients receiving less extensive crosslinked polyethylene. The authors explain the cost effectiveness of this approach where the difference in cost is approximately 36%.