The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 76, Issue 7 1052-1056, Copyright © 1994 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Post-irradiation aging of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
CM Rimnac, RW Klein, F Betts and TM Wright
Department of Biomechanics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021.
A study was performed to determine the time-course of oxidative degradation
and the extent to which the degradation proceeded through the bulk of
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene joint components that had been
irradiated and stored on a shelf. Standardized cylindrical samples, taken
from a single batch of extruded polyethylene, were cleaned, packaged, and
sterilized according to protocols used for commercial joint-replacement
components. After sterilization, the samples were stored in the packages
for time-periods of one day to more than one year. At each interval
studied, thin sections were cut as a function of depth into the bulk of the
sample and were used to determine the density and the infrared spectra.
Marked alterations in the density and the infrared spectra consistent with
continuing oxidative degradation occurred throughout the year of storage on
the shelf. The alterations were most severe near the surface of the
samples.
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