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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

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01.08.2011 | Symposium: UHMWPE for Arthroplasty: From Powder to Debris

Vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE for Total Joint Implants: A Review

verfasst von: Pierangiola Bracco, MD, Ebru Oral, PhD

Erschienen in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Ausgabe 8/2011

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Abstract

Background

Osteolysis due to wear of UHMWPE limits the longevity of joint arthroplasty. Oxidative degradation of UHMWPE gamma-sterilized in air increases its wear while decreasing mechanical strength. Vitamin E stabilization of UHMWPE was proposed to improve oxidation resistance while maintaining wear resistance and fatigue strength.

Questions/purposes

We reviewed the preclinical research on the development and testing of vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE with the following questions in mind: (1) What is the rationale behind protecting irradiated UHMWPE against oxidation by vitamin E? (2) What are the effects of vitamin E on the microstructure, tribologic, and mechanical properties of irradiated UHMWPE? (3) Is vitamin E expected to affect the periprosthetic tissue negatively?

Methods

We performed searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Science Citation Index to review the development of vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPEs and their feasibility as clinical implants.

Results

The rationale for using vitamin E in UHMWPE was twofold: improving oxidation resistance of irradiated UHMWPEs and fatigue strength of irradiated UHMWPEs with an alternative to postirradiation melting. Vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE showed oxidation resistance superior to that of irradiated UHMWPEs with detectable residual free radicals. It showed equivalent wear and improved mechanical strength compared to irradiated and melted UHMWPE. The biocompatibility was confirmed by simulating elution, if any, of the antioxidant from implants.

Conclusions

Vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE offers a joint arthroplasty technology with good mechanical, wear, and oxidation properties.

Clinical Relevance

Vitamin E-stabilized, irradiated UHMWPEs were recently introduced clinically. The rationale behind using vitamin E and in vitro tests comparing its performance to older materials are of great interest for improving longevity of joint arthroplasties.

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Titel: Vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE for Total Joint Implants: A Review
verfasst von: Pierangiola Bracco, MD
Ebru Oral, PhD
Publikationsdatum: 01.08.2011
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Ausgabe 8/2011
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Elektronische ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-010-1717-6

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