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Vitamin E-infused highly crosslinked PE cups yielded lower wear rates after THA
Patients who received a vitamin E-infused highly crosslinked polyethylene cup during total hip arthroplasty experienced lower wear rates during the first 3 years compared with patients who received an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene cup, according to results.
Researchers randomly assigned 62 patients undergoing THA to receive either a vitamin E-infused highly crosslinked polyethylene cup (n=33; RM Pressfit vitamys, Mathys) or an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene cup (n=29; RM Pressfit, Mathys). Researchers used radiostereometric analysis to measure the penetration of the femoral head into the cup postoperatively at 7 days, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years.
Results showed significantly less cumulative penetration in patients in the vitamin E-infused HXLPE group at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively compared with patients in the UHMWPE group. After 3 years, researchers noted a cumulative penetration of 0.200 mm for the vitamin E-infused HXLPE group vs. 0.317 mm for the UHMWPE group. Researchers found an increase in mean penetration of 0.04 mm and 0.116 mm in the vitamin E-infused group and the UHMWPE group, respectively, after creep had stabilized and further penetration was mainly due to wear from 1 year to 3 years postoperatively. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Rochcongar reports he received grants from Mathys SA. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.