The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2007;89:2212-2217.
doi:10.2106/JBJS.F.00758
© 2007 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
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 Adult Hip Reconstruction Test 27: Winter 2008 (publication date February 15...
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Rim Cracking of the Cross-Linked Longevity Polyethylene Acetabular Liner After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Stephen S. Tower, MD1, John H. Currier, MS2, Barbara H. Currier, MChE2, Kimberly A. Lyford, AB2, Douglas W. Van Citters, PhD2 and Michael B. Mayor, MD2

1 Anchorage Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic, 3260 Providence Drive, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99508
2 Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 8000 Cummings Hall, Hanover, NH 03755. E-mail address for J.H. Currier: john.currier{at}dartmouth.edu

Investigation performed at the Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

Disclosure: In support of their research for or preparation of this work, one or more of the authors received, in any one year, outside funding or grants in excess of $10,000 from DePuy and Zimmer. In addition, one or more of the authors or a member of his or her immediate family received, in any one year, payments or other benefits in excess of $10,000 or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity (DePuy). No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.

Background: Studies have suggested that cross-linked polyethylene bearings reduce wear rates from 40% to 100% compared with conventional polyethylene. However, the reduced mechanical properties of highly cross-linked polyethylene have the potential to be a limiting factor in device performance. We reviewed a series of retrieved acetabular liners with a fracture of the superior rim to assess the factors that played a role in their failure.

Methods: Four Longevity acetabular bearings, which had been retrieved from two patients after seven to twenty-seven months in vivo, were visually examined for clinical damage, were assessed with use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine the level of oxidation, and were analyzed for mechanical properties and fracture surface characterization. Control data were obtained from never-implanted devices and from global reference ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene bar stock as an industry calibration material.

Results: All four retrieved liners demonstrated articular surface wear modes, which in most cases were rated as moderate, and none were rated as severe. All showed cracking or rim failure of the liner at the superior aspect along the groove in the polyethylene that engages the locking ring of the shell. The retrieved liners had no measurable oxidation, and the mechanical properties were comparable with those of never-implanted material.

Conclusions: There was no notable in vivo degradation of the retrieved liners. Important factors related to failure appear to be thin polyethylene at the cup rim, relatively vertical cup alignment, and the material properties of the highly cross-linked polyethylene that are decreased relative to conventional polyethylene. The critical dimension with respect to rim failure in modular liners appears to be the minimum thickness at the equatorial region.

Clinical Relevance: For a given implant design and loading, highly cross-linked polyethylene may be more susceptible to fatigue damage, such as rim cracking, than is conventional polyethylene. The potential for excess rim loading on thin polyethylene should be assessed carefully when the use of a cross-linked liner and a large femoral head is being considered, particularly in a cup with a more vertical abduction angle.


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