JBJS, May 1, 2004, Volume 86, Issue 5

Early Failure Due to Osteolysis Associated with Contemporary Highly Cross-Linked Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Letitia Bradford, MD Robert Kurland, MD Meera Sankaran, BS Hubert Kim, MD, PhD Lisa A. Pruitt, PhD Michael D. Ries, MD

Cross-linking changes the wear and mechanical behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Contemporary highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has demonstrated markedly improved wear in vitro and a reduction in static and fatigue strength compared with conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene1-7.

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