Wear debris particulates
Hard metal or ceramic femoral head articulating against an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cup
- Aseptic loosening
- Osteolysis
- 0.2-0.8um is critical size for macrophage activation
- Mediators released include the bone resorbing cytokine IL-1
- Particles may induce marrow and blood monocytes to differentiate into osteoclasts
- Distribution of wear particles to liver, spleen, abdominal lymph nodes