Wear of the polyethylene of Harris-Galante acetabular components inserted without cement

The amount and rate of linear wear of the polyethylene of eighty Harris-Galante acetabular components, implanted without cement during a primary or revision total hip replacement in seventy-two patients, were determined by a comparison of the thicknesses of the cup as measured on the initial and most recent follow-up radiographs. The measurements were corrected for magnification error by direct measurement of the diameter of the femoral head on each radiograph. The mean duration of follow-up was sixty-eight months (range, fifty-six to ninety-six months). Linear wear averaged 0.77 +/- 0.51 millimeter (range, zero to 1.83 millimeters) over-all, with a mean rate of 0.14 +/- 0.09 millimeter (range, zero to 0.35 millimeter) per year. An increased rate of wear per year correlated with a decreased age of the patient and with regular exercise, but there was no relationship with the weight or sex of the patient, the initial thickness of the polyethylene, or the angle of abduction of the cup.