The impact of mixed components on polyethylene wear.

ABSTRACT

Wear rates were measured in 50 mixed and 71 matched total hip arthroplasties with > or = 3-year follow-up to determine whether implanting mixed hip components increased polyethylene wear. Average patient age was 61 years for the mixed group and 57 years for the matched group. Average radiographic follow-up was 5.8 years and 6.8 years, respectively. The average linear wear rate for the mixed and matched groups was 0.11 mm/y. Therefore, implanting same-size, total hip components from different manufacturers did not lead to large increases in polyethylene wear.