The intra-articular response to particulate carbon fibre reinforced high density polyethylene and its constituents: an experimental study in mice.

Carbon fibre reinforced high density polyethylene (CFRHDP) Meuller acetabular cups are available for total hip replacement. Despite the improved mechanical properties of CFRHDP over high density polyethylene (HDP) the wear characteristics of CFRHDP are a contentious issue. The biocompatibility of CFRHDP wear debris was investigated by intra-articular injection into mice and compared with that induced by HDP and carbon fibres. The response to CFRHDP was identical to that seen with HDP: the carbon fibre component did not appear to modify the response. From the biological point of view, therefore, the wear properties of CFRHDP must be better than those of HDP to offer a significant advantage.