CONVENTIONAL VERSUS CROSS-LINKED POLYETHYLENE FOR TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: CLINICAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC OUTCOMES AT A MEAN OF NINE YEARS

Polyethylene wear is the main factor leading to periprosthetic osteolysis, aseptic loosening and long-term failure of the implant in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The present study compares the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 88 patients who underwent primary THA with either conventional polyethylene or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) from the same manufacturer (Zimmer®, Warsaw, IN, USA). There were no significant differences between the two sub-populations in average age, gender, side affected and prosthetic stem and cup size. The average follow-up was 104 months, ranging from 55 to 131 months: to our knowledge this is the longest follow-up for this particular insert. Clinical and x-ray evaluation was obtained at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter. Our results showed that cross-linked polyethylene has a significantly greater wear reduction than that of standard polyethylene.