Study Shows Low Wear Rates of Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene
For Immediate Release
Dallas, November 7, 2015 — The study, “Minimum 10 Year Multi-center Study of THR with Highly Cross-linked Polyethylene and Large Diameter Femoral Heads,” presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) on November 7, 2015 regrouped patients from a previous total hip arthroplasty study after a ten-year minimum follow up. Researchers sought to analyze the wear rate of the patients’ hip implants and osteolysis (bone resorption around the implants in response to wear debris). The implants were comprised of larger femoral heads (greater than 32mm in diameter) articulating with highly-crosslinked polyethylene liners.
Charles R. Bragdon, PhD and co-authors Christopher J. Barr, BS, Christian S. Nielsen, MD, PhD, Daniel J. Berry, MD, Craig J. Della Valle, MD, Kevin Garvin, MD, Per-Erik Johanson, MD, PhD, John C. Clohisy, MD, and Henrik Malchau, MD, PhD reported on data collected after patients were examined using hip analysis software and radiographic grading.
The study concluded that the wear rate of the implants “remained at levels lower than the detection limit of the software at minimum 10 year follow-up, and there was no identified osteolysis.” This is good news for patients given that wear of the bearing surface has been a major cause of repeat surgery in the past.
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About the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons:
Established in 1991, the mission of AAHKS is to advance hip and knee patient care through education and advocacy. AAHKS has a membership of over 3,700 surgeons. For more information, visit www.AAHKS.org.
Contact:
Denise Smith Rodd
drodd@aahks.org
