Post electron-beam irradiation oxidation of orthopaedic Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) stabilized with vitamin E

Abstract

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been the material of choice for load-bearing articular components used in total joint arthroplasty in the past 30 years. However, the durability of the whole implant has often been compromised by oxidation of UHMWPE components. Since the use of a suitable, biocompatible stabilizer would minimize this inconvenience, the possibility to use vitamin E has been introduced. In the present work, medical grade UHMWPE was blended with 1.1, 2.3 and 11 mmol/l of vitamin E and consolidated by compression moulding. Small blocks of reference and of vitamin E-blended UHMWPE were then electron-beam irradiated at 30, 60 and 90 kGy, both in vacuum and in air. FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in both the polymer and the additive. Thin sections of irradiated virgin and vitamin E-blended UHMWPE were aged in air, at room temperature and in the dark and the kinetics of oxidation followed by FTIR. The reaction between vitamin E and macro-alkyl radicals or unlikely with peroxy radicals has been demonstrated and a correlation between the decrease of macroradicals and the stabilization effect of vitamin E has been shown.