Wear and migration are not influenced by head size in a vitamin E-infused highly cross-linked polyethylene acetabular cup

Abstract

Background: Aseptic loosening and periprosthetic osteolysis are frequent complications in total hip arthroplasty requiring revision surgery. Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) implants have improved wear resistance, permitting larger femoral heads. However, such implants may experience surface cracking, mechanical failure, and oxidative damage. Vitamin E-infused HXLPE (VEPE) implants were therefore developed to reduce oxidation without compromising mechanical strength. We addressed the following questions: (1) Does femoral head size affect the midterm annual polyethylene wear rates of VEPE acetabular cups? (2) Does femoral head size affect the midterm migration rates of VEPE acetabular cups? (3) Are clinical outcomes affected by femoral head size?

Hypothesis: Annual wear rate, migration rate, and clinical outcomes of VEPE acetabular cups are independent of femoral head size.

Patients and methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study of patients that underwent total hip arthroplasty. Hips were grouped according to the size of femoral head implanted (28 mm, 32 mm, and 36 mm). We determined annual wear rate and migration rate of VEPE acetabular cups using the Einzel-Bild-Röntgen-Analyse software. Clinically, we assessed the Harris Hip Score and visual analog score for pain and satisfaction.

Results: We followed 253 patients (267 hips) for a mean of 55.0±20.6 months in the 28 mm, 46.2±21.4 months in the 32 mm, and 43.8±22.6 months in the 36 mm group. The annual wear rate was 0.025 mm per year from 1 year to the last follow-up and remained similar between the groups (p>0.05). Also, mean two-dimensional migration rates did not exceed 0.05 mm from 2 years to the last follow-up and remained similar between the groups (p=0.355). Finally, clinical outcomes also did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). Two patients required revision surgery.

Discussion: Femoral head size did not influence midterm annual wear rate, migration rate, and clinical outcomes of VEPE acetabular cups. Furthermore, wear and cup migration rates were below the reported values leading to osteolysis and aseptic loosening. Nevertheless, studies with extended follow-up periods will be necessary to confirm these results in the long term.

Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: EBRA; Migration; Pressfit cup; VEPE; Wear.