Quantitative analysis of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris associated with total knee replacements

The size and morphology of particulate wear debris retrieved from tissues around 18 failed total knee replacements (TKR) were characterized. Interfacial membranes from nine cemented and nine uncemented TKR were harvested from below the tibial components during revision surgery. Wear debris were extracted using papain and potassium hydroxide digestion. Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles from around cemented or uncemented TKR were similar in size and morphology. The mean size was 1.7 ± 0.7 μm with a range of 0.1–18 μm. Thirty‐six percent of the particles were less than 1 μm and 90% were less than 3 μm. Morphologically the particles were predominantly spherical with occasional fibrillar attachments and flakes. Particles from TKR were greater than threefold larger than previously characterized particles from total hip replacements, which were 0.5 μm in mean size. Differences in joint conformity and wear patterns between the hip and knee articulations may explain the disparity in size of the wear debris. Since particle size represents an important variable influencing the magnitude of the biological response, it is possible that in vivo the larger TKR debris results in a diminished mediator release, which in turn may account for the lower incidence of osteolysis and aseptic loosening in some designs of TKR. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 53: 100–110, 2000