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THA with Highly Cross-linked Polyethylene in Patients 50 Years or Younger

  • Original Article
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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Highly cross-linked polyethylene has been associated with low in vitro wear, but also has decreased in vitro ultimate yield strength. We therefore asked whether highly cross-linked polyethylene would result in lower outcome scores, wear, or early failure in a young patient population. Seventy THAs in 64 patients were performed using a highly cross-linked (electron beam-irradiated to 9 Mrads) acetabular liner and a cobalt-chrome femoral head. The average age of the patients at surgery was 41 years (range, 19–50 years). The minimum followup was 2.4 years (average, 4 years; range, 2.4–6.5 years). We recorded demographic and clinical data, including Harris hip score. Polyethylene wear measurements were analyzed with a validated, computer-assisted, edge detection method. The average Harris hip score improved from 53 to 92 at last followup. There was no evidence of acetabular or femoral loss of fixation, subsidence, or loosening. Linear wear was undetectable at this followup interval. No patient experienced catastrophic failure or underwent revision surgery. These data show low polyethylene wear rates and no catastrophic failures at early followup in a young patient cohort.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Correspondence to John C. Clohisy MD.

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One or more of the authors (JCC) have received funding from the Curing Hip Disease Fund.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

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Shia, D.S., Clohisy, J.C., Schinsky, M.F. et al. THA with Highly Cross-linked Polyethylene in Patients 50 Years or Younger. Clin Orthop Relat Res 467, 2059–2065 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0697-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0697-2

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