Research progress on the oxidation behavior mechanism and the design of antioxidant methods of artificial polymer acetabular cup

Abstract

AbstractUltra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was once the most widely used clinical hip prosthesis‐bearing component due to its exceptional mechanical qualities and biocompatibility. However, the poor wear resistance of UHMWPE limits its service life in vivo. Radiation cross‐linking is a common means to improve the wear resistance of UHMWPE, and highly cross‐linked polyethylene (HXLPE) acetabular cup is gradually becoming the first choice in clinical practice. The residual free radicals generated by the cross‐linking process can accelerate the oxidation process of the polymer acetabular cup, which is not conducive to the long‐term in vivo service process. Heat treatments such as annealing or melting and the addition of antioxidants are potential methods to improve the antioxidant performance of HXLPE in vivo. Research into the oxidation characteristics of polymer acetabular cup is crucial for enhancing their durability in vivo and ensuring their long‐term performance reliability. In this paper, the research progress focuses on the oxidation mechanism, the influencing factors of the oxidation process of polymer acetabular cups, and the methods to improve their oxidation resistance. It discusses the reliability of improving the service life of UHMWPE acetabular cup in vivo and other alternative methods.Highlights Characteristics of polymer acetabular cups were systematically introduced. Mechanism of oxidative behavior of acetabular cup in vivo/in vitro was analyzed. Influencing factors of acetabular cup oxidation behavior were summarized. Methods for improving antioxidant properties of acetabular cups were summarized. New method was proposed to improve the antioxidant properties of acetabular cup.