Midterm results of primary total hip arthroplasty using highly cross-linked polyethylene: minimum 7-year follow-up study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of 113 total hip arthroplasties in 109 patients using highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) after midterm (minimum 7 years) follow-up retrospectively. The mean age at the time of operation was 57 years. Preoperative diagnosis was osteonecrosis in 81 hips and other diagnosis in 32 hips. There was no component loosening. Acetabular osteolysis was found in 12 hips (10.6 %). Mean linear HXLPE wear rate was 0.031 ± 0.012 mm/y. We analyzed the relationship between HXLPE wear rate and several variables influencing HXLPE wear. Only the cup position was related with wear rate of HXLPE significantly (P < .05). The results of total hip arthroplasties using HXLPE showed excellent results with decreased wear rate and low incidence of osteolysis after midterm follow-up.