Introduction: Electron beam irradiated highly cros-slinked polyethylene has been used in total hip arthroplasty for over 8 years. Due to its low wear characteristics, the use of femoral heads that are greater than 32mm in diameter is now available, allowing for an increase in range of motion and increased stability against dislocation when necessary. The purpose of this study is to provide a summary report on the radiographic analysis of the longest term data available on primary THR patients receiving highly cross-linked polyethylene and to compare the results of two methods of measuring femoral head penetration.

Methods: Three prospective clinical studies involving electron beam irradiated highly cross-linked polyethylene have been initiated at our center. To date, the results of: 200 hips with a minimum of 6 year follow-up with conventional sized femoral heads (primarily 28 and 32mm); 45 hips with minimum 5 year follow-up with larger sized femoral heads (primarily 36 and 38mm); and 30 hips with 5 year follow-up enrolled in a Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study (15 patients with 28mm and 15 patients with 36mm diameter femoral heads); were available for this summary report. Data from patient administered questionnaires (Harris Hip score, UCLA activity score, and WOMAC), radiographic review, and wear analysis using RSA or the Martell Hip Analysis Suite™. In addition, for comparative purposes, wear was measured in a subset of patients using the Devane Polyware™ program.

Results: All hips had good clinical outcome at longest follow-up regardless of which femoral head size was used. There were no revisions due to polyethylene wear and no evidence of peri-prosthetic osteolysis. In general, after the bedding in period, there was no significant increase in femoral head penetration regardless of head size.

For RSA, the wear rate for the 28mm femoral head group was 0.05±0.02 while the 36mm femoral head group was 0.03±0.02, p=0.13.

For the Martell analysis, the average steady-state wear rate was −0.002 ± 0.01 mm per year and −0.026 ± 0.13 mm per year for 28mm and 32mm head sizes, respectively, p=0.62. There was no correlation between wear and time in situ or femoral head size for any of the clinical studies.

In comparing the Martell and Devane programs, the total average wear rates were significantly different, 0.07±0.05 and 0.03±0.06mm/year respectively, p=0.01. However, when the absolute values of the Martell results were used, there was no difference, p=0.22.

Conclusion: The mid-term follow-up of a large group of primary THR patients receiving highly cross-linked polyethylene components have shown no problems related to the new bearing material. Extremely low wear and lack of peri-prosthetic osteolysis are encouraging results requiring further long-term study.