Does highly cross-linked polyethylene wear less than conventional polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty? A double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis

54 patients with primary hip osteoarthritis, scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty, were randomized to receive either highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) or standard ultra high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) liners. Roentgen stereophotogrammateic analysis (RSA) was conducted to determine the 3-dimensional penetration of the liners over 2 years. Despite similar considerable wear rate in the first 3 months observed in both groups, HXLPE acetabular liners had 40% lower wear rate compared to UHMWPE at 2 years after THA.