Abstract
Study designThis is a retrospective study comparing polyethylene wear between ceramic ball heads and metal ball heads in total hip arthroplasty.BackgroundThe ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing option has been introduced as an alternative to metal-on-polyethylene to minimize polyethylene wear debris and reduce subsequent osteolysis and aseptic loosening. However, the reported data were debatable. We designed this retrospective study to compare polyethylene wear between alumina ceramic ball heads and cobalt-chrome ball heads.MethodsBilateral simultaneous primary total hip arthroplasty was performed in 22 patients between January 2002 and December 2002, with one side using metal-on-polyethylene bearing surface and the other side using alumina ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing surface. After 10 years of follow-up, the wear rate of polyethylene liner on both sides was measured using the Dorr method and compared.ResultsThe annual wear rate of the polyethylene liner was 0.133 mm with a standard deviation of 0.045 in the metal-on-polyethylene group and 0.056 mm with a standard deviation of 0.032 in the ceramic-on-polyethylene group. The wear rate per year was significantly lower in the ceramic-on-polyethylene group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsAlthough the implication is still controversial, our study showed that the use of ceramic head lowered the liner wear rate.Clinical relevanceCeramic is harder and more resistant to scratching than cobalt-chrome. By increasing polyethylene liner survivorship and decreasing potential osteolytic response and aseptic loosening, ceramic head is a better alternative than cobalt-chrome head.
Highlights
The ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing option has been introduced as an alternative to metal-on-polyethylene to minimize polyethylene wear debris and reduce subsequent osteolysis and aseptic loosening
Conclusions: the implication is still controversial, our study showed that the use of ceramic head lowered the liner wear rate
By increasing polyethylene liner survivorship and decreasing potential osteolytic response and aseptic loosening, ceramic head is a better alternative than cobalt-chrome head
Summary
The ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing option has been introduced as an alternative to metal-on-polyethylene to minimize polyethylene wear debris and reduce subsequent osteolysis and aseptic loosening. We designed this retrospective study to compare polyethylene wear between alumina ceramic ball heads and cobalt-chrome ball heads. Polyethylene wear, periprosthetic osteolysis, and aseptic loosening are associated with the long-term success of total hip arthroplasty. The ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing option has been introduced as an alternative to metalon-polyethylene in an attempt to minimize polyethylene wear debris and to reduce subsequent osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Laboratory studies document dramatic reductions in wear volume, offering the prospect. We designed this retrospective study to evaluate the comparable performance of polyethylene liner with an alumina vs a cobalt-chrome femoral head. The Ethical Review Committee of Yantaishan Hospital approved this study
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