ABSTRACT
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
INTRODUCTION
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylenea has been the material of choice for bearing surfaces used in total hip and knee arthroplasty for 40 years and polyethylene has been successfully used in acetabular components, tibial inserts, and patella buttons. Yet there are certain in vivo damage mechanisms associated with this material that can compromise device performance.
