Acta orthopaedica
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Reduced wear in vitamin E-infused highly cross-linked polyethylene cups: 5-year results of a randomized controlled trial.
Background and purpose - Vitamin E-infused polyethylene is a relatively new material in joint arthroplasty; there are no long-term reports, and only few mid-term results. Using radiostereometric analysis (RSA), we primarily determined whether vitamin E-infused highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE/VitE) acetabular cups show less wear than ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cups at 5 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We also assessed whether wear rates correlate with increasing cup inclination angles or cup sizes. ⋯ Finally, no osteolysis and implant loosening occurred, and no revision surgeries were required. Interpretation - Wear rates continue to be lower in HXLPE/VitE cups than in UHMWPE cups at 5 years of follow-up without correlation with increasing cup inclination angles or cup sizes. Finally, HXLPE/VitE cups may have the potential to prevent osteolysis and implant loosening.