We compared wear particles from two different designs of total hip arthroplasty with polycrystalline alumina-ceramic bearings of different production periods (group 1, before ISO 6474: group 2, according to ISO 6474). The neocapsules and interfacial connective tissue membranes were retrieved after mean implantation times of 131 months and 38 months, respectively. Specimen blocks were freed from embedding media, either methylmethacrylate or paraffin and digested in concentrated nitric acid. Particles were then counted and their sizes and composition determined by SEM and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA).

The mean numbers and sizes of most alumina wear particles did not differ for both production periods, but the larger sizes of particle in group 1 point to more severe surface destruction. The increased metal wear in group 2 was apparently due to alumina-induced abrasion of the stems. In this study the concentrations of particles in the periprosthetic tissues were 2 to 22 times lower than those observed previously with polyethylene and alumina/polyethylene wear couples.