The Effect of Polyethylene Thickness on the Wear of Highly Cross-Linked Acetabular Liners in a “Near-Impingement” Hip Simulator Model

Concern for stability and increased range of motion in THA has increased popularity of large femoral heads, while thin polyethylene liners have allowed acetabular component thickness to remain constant. Highly cross-linked polyethylene improves wear, but is accompanied by reduced toughness. Decreasing thickness may increase wear or cause gross fracture, especially at extremes of motion when contact between head and acetabulum nears the liner edge. We determined the effect of liner thickness on wear with large diameter heads in a near impingement model.