Ageing performance of a compliant layer bearing acetabular prosthesis in an ovine hip arthroplasty model

The wear performance of a polyurethane compliant layer (CL) material formed into an acetabular component and implanted into a sheep model of cemented total hip arthroplasty was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Four (11%) of 36 acetabular components debonded from the cement and one component was slightly loose at the cement-bone interface. There was no macroscopic evidence of fracture, wear, or deformation of the CL material on the articular surface of the acetabular components. Small numbers of polymeric wear particles was found in the hip synovial tissues of 10 sheep, most commonly in the early time groups, and were likely associated with initial wear of surface asperities. The wear performance of the CL was unchanged during a 48-month implantation period.