Response to Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Particles

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely used in the field of orthopedics to fabricate various orthopedic total joint (primarily hip, knee and shoulder) device components. In spite of its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties, wear debris particles are released during use at the articulating surfaces, usually at the implant-implant, bone-implant and cement-bone and cement-implant interfaces. Prior studies have shown that these wear debris particles are responsible for periprosthetic bone resorption (wear-mediated osteolysis) which leads to implant loosening and eventually failure of the prosthetic device. Previously investigators have implicated the size, shape, and number of UHMWPE wear particles released from implants in vivo and in situ to the wear-mediated-osteolytic phenomenon. In this short review I will discuss some of the in vitro and in vivo studies pertaining to the response to the wear-debris particles.