Proteins Bound to Polyethylene Components in Patients Who Have Aseptic Loosening After Total Joint Arthroplasty. A Preliminary Report*

Abstract

Despite improvements in materials and designs of prostheses, aseptic loosening is the most common complication of total joint replacement, frequently leading to revision operations. We examined the immunological response to proteins that bind to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in patients who had aseptic loosening and discovered a high prevalence of antibodies to polyethylene-bound proteins. This immunological response may contribute to an inflammatory reaction in the periprosthetic tissue, ultimately leading to increased bone resorption around the prosthesis.