Biomaterial Database

A prognosis for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 1990

R M Rose, and E L Radin

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMPWE) is now the material of choice for total joint replacement prostheses, in combination with a metal surface against which the polymer articulates. As this material has now been in use in this application for approximately three decades and other limiting factors (e.g. loosening of the prosthesis) have been improved upon, it is appropriate to attempt a long-term prognosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007595	Joint Prosthesis	Prostheses used to partially or totally replace a human or animal joint. (from UMDNS, 1999)	Joint Prostheses,Prostheses, Joint,Prosthesis, Joint
D008422	Materials Testing	The testing of materials and devices, especially those used for PROSTHESES AND IMPLANTS; SUTURES; TISSUE ADHESIVES; etc., for hardness, strength, durability, safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility.	Biocompatibility Testing,Biocompatible Materials Testing,Hemocompatibility Testing,Testing, Biocompatible Materials,Testing, Hemocompatible Materials,Hemocompatibility Testings,Hemocompatible Materials Testing,Materials Testing, Biocompatible,Materials Testing, Hemocompatible,Testing, Biocompatibility,Testing, Hemocompatibility,Testing, Materials,Testings, Biocompatibility
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D011095	Polyethylenes	Synthetic thermoplastics that are tough, flexible, inert, and resistant to chemicals and electrical current. They are often used as biocompatible materials for prostheses and implants.	Ethylene Polymers,Ethene Homopolymers,Homopolymers, Ethene,Polymers, Ethylene
D011475	Prosthesis Failure	Malfunction of implantation shunts, valves, etc., and prosthesis loosening, migration, and breaking.	Prosthesis Loosening,Prosthesis Durability,Prosthesis Migration,Prosthesis Survival,Durabilities, Prosthesis,Durability, Prosthesis,Failure, Prosthesis,Failures, Prosthesis,Loosening, Prosthesis,Loosenings, Prosthesis,Migration, Prosthesis,Migrations, Prosthesis,Prosthesis Durabilities,Prosthesis Failures,Prosthesis Loosenings,Prosthesis Migrations,Prosthesis Survivals,Survival, Prosthesis,Survivals, Prosthesis
D013314	Stress, Mechanical	A purely physical condition which exists within any material because of strain or deformation by external forces or by non-uniform thermal expansion; expressed quantitatively in units of force per unit area.	Mechanical Stress,Mechanical Stresses,Stresses, Mechanical