Journal article
In Vivo Degradation of Polyethylene Liners After Gamma Sterilization in Air
Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, v 87(4), pp 815-823
Apr 2005
PMID: 15805212
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
BackgroundUltra-high molecular weight polyethylene degrades during storage in air following gamma sterilization, but the extent of in vivo degradation remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent to which the mechanical properties and oxidation of conventional polyethylene acetabular liners treated with gamma sterilization in air change in vivo.MethodsFourteen modular cementless acetabular liners were revised at an average of 10.3 years (range, 5.9 to 13.5 years) after implantation. All liners, which had been machined from GUR 415 resin, had been gamma-sterilized in air; the average shelf life was 0.3 year (range, 0.0 to 0.8 year). After removal, the components were expeditiously frozen to minimize ex vivo changes to the polyethylene prior to characterization. The average duration between freezing and testing was 0.6 year. Mechanical properties and oxidation were measured with use of the small-punch test and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively, in the loaded and unloaded regions of the liners.ResultsThere was substantial regional variation in the mechanical properties and oxidation of the retrieved liners. The ultimate load was observed to vary by >90% near the surface. On the average, the rim and the unloaded bearing showed evidence of severe oxidation near the surface after long-term in vivo aging, but these trends were not typically observed on the loaded bearing surface or near the backside of the liners.ConclusionsThe mechanical properties of polyethylene that has been gamma-sterilized in air may decrease substantially in vivo, depending on the location in the liner. The most severe oxidation was observed at the rim, suggesting that the femoral head inhibits access of oxygen-containing body fluids to the bearing surface. This is perhaps why in vivo oxidation has not been associated with clinical performance to date.Clinical RelevanceIn vivo degradation of polyethylene liners that have been gamma-sterilized in air may be substantial, but the results of this study suggest that it is most frequently localized near the unworn surface regions of the liners. The performance of gamma-sterilized polyethylene liners should continue to be studied to determine whether the in vivo changes in properties have long-term clinical relevance.
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Details
- Title
- In Vivo Degradation of Polyethylene Liners After Gamma Sterilization in Air
- Creators
- Steven Kurtz - Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems and Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail address for S.M. Kurtz: skurtz@drexel.eduClare Rimnac - Musculoskeletal Mechanics and Materials Laboratories, Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7222William Hozack - Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107Joseph Turner - Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems and Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail address for S.M. Kurtz: skurtz@drexel.eduMichele Marcolongo - Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems and Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail address for S.M. Kurtz: skurtz@drexel.eduVictor Goldberg - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106Matthew Kraay - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106Avram Edidin - Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems and Department of Materials Engineering, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail address for S.M. Kurtz: skurtz@drexel.edu
- Publication Details
- Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, v 87(4), pp 815-823
- Publisher
- Copyright by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000228173000018
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-16844384892
- Other Identifier
- 991014877944704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics
- Surgery