Abstract
This study examined retrieved UHMWPE tibial bearings made from a remelted highly crosslinked (HXL) UHMWPE to determine whether the material is chemically stable in vivo. Retrieved tibial components were measured for changes in ketone oxidation and crosslink density. Oxidation increased with in vivo duration, and a significant decrease in crosslink density with increased mean ketone oxidation index was observed. These results suggest that in vivo oxidation is causing material degradation. Furthermore, a subsurface whitened damage region was found below the articular surface of one bearing, indicating the possibility of a clinically relevant decrease in mechanical properties of this component.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 39-45 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part B Applied Biomaterials |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords
- FTIR
- arthroplasty
- oxidation
- polyethylene (UHMWPE)