Tissue reactions to wear products from polyacetal (Delrin®) and UHMW polyethylene in total hip replacement

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Abstract
The tissue reaction to implanted materials and their wear products is important for the long‐term fixation of a total hip replacement (THR). Recent reports indicate a relatively high incidence of aseptic loosening with Christiansen total hip prostheses. We examined tissue reactions to wear products in two groups of prostheses: (1) 16 Christiansen prostheses with polyacetal (Delrin) sockets, and (2) 18 Charnley‐Müller total hip prostheses with ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWP) sockets. Specimens from these 34 patients were compared in a combined qualitative and semiquantitative morphological study. We saw similar histological changes in specimens of both groups, but specimens from the bone–cement interfaces of the acetabulum and femur shaft in the polyacetal group showed more inflammation and necrosis.