Introduction: Bearing couples within total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) typically utilize cobalt chromium alloys articulating on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Articulation of these surfaces during in vivo loading can generate UHMWPE wear particles, which may then result in osteolysis and component loosening [1]. Osteolysis has been observed following TAA in 15-22% of patient pop...

The classical wear mechanisms abrasion, fatigue, and adhesion are the most frequent causes of surface changes of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in artificial joints. The counterpart material has a strong influence on the wear and friction behavior of artificial joints due to its abrasive properties and adhesive interaction with UHMWPE. The formation of a transfer layer on the...

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been the most commonly used bearing material in total joint arthroplasty. Wear and oxidation fatigue resistance of UHMWPE are regarded as two important mechanical properties to extend the longevity of knee prostheses. Though accelerated in vitro protocols have been developed to test the relative oxidation resistance of various types of UHMWP...

Ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear, debris-induced osteolysis is a frequent cause of failure of total hip arthroplasty. Metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty eliminates the generation of UHMWPE particulate debris. Although the volumetric wear of a metal-on-metal articulation may be lower than a metal-UHMWPE articulation, the number of particles may be higher. Osteolysis can ...

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components for total joint replacement generate wear particles which cause adverse biological tissue reactions leading to osteolysis and loosening. Sterilisation of UHMWPE components by gamma irradiation in air causes chain scissions which initiate a long-term oxidative process that degrades the chemical and mechanical properties of the polyethy...

Although polyethylene wear particles have been implicated in osteolysis and implant loosening, this study is the first to test whether chemical eluates extracted from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) could also be involved in this process. Eluates were prepared from UHMWPE bar stock and examined for their effects on (3)H-thymidine incorporation by human foreskin fibroblasts gro...

BACKGROUND The development of highly vascularized and inflammatory periprosthetic tissue characterizes the progress of aseptic loosening, a major complication of joint arthroplasty. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important cell signaling protein involved in angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether R2/Fc (a VEGF neutralizing antibody) and SU5416 (a VEGF...

Aseptic loosening mediated by wear particle-induced osteolysis (PIO) remains the major cause of implant loosening in endoprosthetic surgery. The development of new vitamin E (α-tocopherol)-blended ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (VE-UHMWPE) with increased oxidation resistance and improved mechanical properties has raised hopes. Furthermore, regenerative approaches may be opened, as vit...

Crosslinking has been extensively introduced to reduce the wear of UHMWPE. In this study the wear rates and wear surfaces of UHMWPE with different levels of crosslinking were compared in a hip joint simulator. The UHMWPE was either non-irradiated, gamma irradiated in air (2.5MRad), or highly crosslinked (7.5 and 10MRad). The intentionally crosslinked materials showed a significantly lower volum...

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) having a low coefficient of friction (CoF), high wearand chemical resistance in harsh environments, is used for fabricating medical products (hip and knee joints, intervertebral discs, plates for maxillofacial surgery, and others). Priority of polymers, in particular UHMWPE to be applied as medical implant materials, is due to their proximity to ...