Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for hip and knee arthroplasty: The present and the future

Alessandro Bistolfi; Fortunato Giustra; Francesco Bosco; Luigi Sabatini; Alessandro Aprato; Pierangiola Bracco; Anuj Bellare

doi:10.1016/j.jor.2021.04.004

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for hip and knee arthroplasty: The present and the future

J Orthop. 2021 Apr 23:25:98-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2021.04.004. eCollection 2021 May-Jun.

Authors

Alessandro Bistolfi¹, Fortunato Giustra¹, Francesco Bosco¹, Luigi Sabatini¹, Alessandro Aprato¹, Pierangiola Bracco², Anuj Bellare³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation, C.T.O. Hospital. AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Zuretti 29, 10126, Turin, Italy.
² Department of Chemistry and NIS (Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces) Center, University of Torino, 10125, Torino, Italy.
³ Polymerix LLC, Boston, MA, 02134, USA.

Abstract

Purpose: to review advances and clinical performance of polyethylene in total joint arthroplasty, summing up historical problems and focusing on the latest innovations.

Methods: search for medical grade Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene (UHMWPE); Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library.

Results: the increasing number of joint arthroplasties and high-activity patients led to progressive developments of bearing surfaces to improve performance and durability. Different strategies such as crosslinking UHMWPE (HXLPE) and the addition of vitamin-E (HXLPE) have been tested to improve wear and oxidation resistance.

Conclusion: Recent innovations about UHMWPE showed improvements either for hip and knee, with the potential of long-term survivorship.

Keywords: Arthroplasty; Crosslinking; Hip; Knee; Mechanical properties; Polyethylene; UHMWPE; Vitamin E; Wear.

Publication types

Review