Abstract
Osteolysis caused by polyethylene wear particles leads to loosening or bone destruction.
Attempts to minimise wear rely largely on selection of the most suitable materials for the purpose. This is typically stainless steel, cobalt chromium or ceramic for the femoral head and primarily polyethylene on the acetabular side. However, there is increased use of both ceramic-on-ceramic and metal-on-metal articulations, particularly in younger patients, and of cross-linked polyethylene in the hip articulation.
Emphasising material selection and development, this paper discusses possible future technical direction of the hip articulation.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
