[Polyethylene wear and late loosening of a total prosthesis of the hip joint. New perspectives for metal/metal pairing of the capsule and head].

Twenty-nine years' experience with total hip replacement surgery, including continuing quality control and follow-up studies, indicate that late loosening after 10-15 years is related to wear of the polyethylene cup. Metal-to-metal prostheses implanted 20 years ago and longer, on the other hand, show no signs of wear or loosening. In conclusion, polyethylene does not last long enough when compared to biocompatible precision-made artificial metal-metal hip joints.