Correlating subjective and objective descriptors of ultra high molecular weight wear particles from total joint prostheses

Wear of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

The combined role of wear particles, macrophages and lymphocytes in the loosening of total joint prostheses.

This review considers the causes of loosening of prosthetic joint replacement paying attention to the biological mechanisms rather than other effects that are physical, such as component fracture and other failure related to mechanical problems. Infection accounts for approximately 1.5 per cent of joint loosening and when it occurs it is a cause of serious concern to the surgeon. The loosening ...

Identification of nanometre-sized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles in samples retrieved in vivo.

Nanometre-sized particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene have been identified in the lubricants retrieved from hip simulators. Tissue samples were taken from seven failed Charnley total hip replacements, digested using strong alkali and analysed using high-resolution field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy to determine whether nanometre-sized particles of polyethylene debri...

Ultra high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in total knee replacement: fabrication, sterilisation and wear.

THE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY G. Blunn, PhD, Professor The Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Orthopaedics, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LP, UK. E. M. Brach del Preva, MD, Associate Professor Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Turin, Italy. L. Costa, PhD, Professor IFM Chemistry Department, University of Turin,...

Influence of third-body particles originating from bone void fillers on the wear of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

Calcium sulfate bone void fillers are increasingly being used for dead space management in infected arthroplasty revision surgery. The presence of these materials as loose beads close to the bearing surfaces of joint replacements gives the potential for them to enter the joint becoming trapped between the articulating surfaces; the resulting damage to cobalt chrome counterfaces and the subseque...