Polyethylene wear in total hip and knee arthroplasties.

The role that ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear at bearing surfaces in total hip and knee arthroplasties plays in the clinical life of these implants cannot be overemphasized. This subject has therefore been attracting enormous research attention on both fundamental and technological levels. Given this, it is important to detail the main features of the knowledge base and describe research directions that may culminate in the production of new and/or improved varieties of UHMWPE material and components. These aspects are the subject of the present review.