Ten-year socket wear in 66 hip arthroplasties. Ceramic versus metal heads.

Radiographic measurements of polyethylene socket wear were performed in 33 hip prostheses with an AI2O3-ceramic head and 33 prostheses with a metal head. At 9-11 years, the average reduction of the diameter of the polyethylene was 0.26 and 0.96 mm, respectively, in the ceramic and the metal group. However, the number of clinically proven or radiographically suspected loosenings did not differ between the two groups.