Clinical wear and oxidative performance of long-term duration polyethylene acetabular retrievals

Abstract

DurationTM Stabilized Polyethylene (Stryker Howmedica) has been the precursor of modern highly crosslinked polyethylenes in total hip joint arthroplasty. DurationTM Polyethylene was subjected to gamma sterilization in low-oxygen blisters and post-irradiation annealing to promote crosslinking and free radical recombination. Thus, DurationTM components were anticipated to exhibit enhanced oxidative stability and increased crosslink density -and therefore superior wear resistance- than historical, gamma-irradiated in air, components. Previous studies have reported lower in vitro and radiographic wear rates for DurationTM acetabular inserts. However, it is unclear whether the wear reduction, with its potential benefit to bone stock, and the oxidative stability of DurationTM are maintained after long-term implantation. Our objective was to assess the clinical, wear and oxidative performance of DurationTM polyethylene acetabular inserts retrieved after long-term implantation.