The Effect of Total Hip Arthroplasty Cup Design on Polyethylene Wear Rate

Using 743 total hip arthroplasties that included 6 hemispheric porous-coated cup designs, this study used a multiple linear regression to identify those factors that influenced polyethylene wear rates. Wear rates for each hip were based on serial head penetration measurement made with computer-assisted techniques. Implant factors associated with an increased wear rate included terminal sterilization with a non-cross-linking chemical surface treatment, a 4-mm lateralized liner, a cobalt-chrome femoral head, and a longer shelf life for liners γ-irradiated in air. After accounting for these implant characteristics and patient factors, wear rates among the 6 cup designs were not significantly different (P = .89). Although polyethylene wear is frequently characterized for specific implant designs, this study demonstrated that there are several common factors that influence polyethylene wear rates.