TY - JOUR
T1 - Observation on retrieved Hylamer glenoids in shoulder arthroplasty
T2 - Problems associated with sterilization by gamma irradiation in air
AU - Rockwood, Charles A.
AU - Wirth, Michael A.
PY - 2002/4
Y1 - 2002/4
N2 - Hylamer is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that was used in the glenoid prosthesis of the Global Shoulder. It was developed from a joint venture with DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc, and E.I. DuPont Company. In presterilization evaluations it was noted to have improved mechanical strength with superior creep and wear resistance. However, after sterilization was performed with gamma irradiation in an air environment from 1990 to 1993, the Hylamer glenoids were affected by oxidation, which altered the mechanical properties, and they became brittle and eroded. From 1993 to 1995 Hylamer glenoids were sterilized by gamma irradiation in a nitrogen environment. From 1995 to 1998 sterilization was by gas plasma processes, which do not create the oxidation problem. Since 1998 the glenoid prosthesis of the Global Shoulder has been made exclusively of Enduron and is gas sterilized. The primary purpose of this article is to provide orthopaedic surgeons the best information available about Hylamer glenoids. We make suggestions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of the patients who had a Hylamer glenoid inserted between 1990 and 1993.
AB - Hylamer is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that was used in the glenoid prosthesis of the Global Shoulder. It was developed from a joint venture with DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc, and E.I. DuPont Company. In presterilization evaluations it was noted to have improved mechanical strength with superior creep and wear resistance. However, after sterilization was performed with gamma irradiation in an air environment from 1990 to 1993, the Hylamer glenoids were affected by oxidation, which altered the mechanical properties, and they became brittle and eroded. From 1993 to 1995 Hylamer glenoids were sterilized by gamma irradiation in a nitrogen environment. From 1995 to 1998 sterilization was by gas plasma processes, which do not create the oxidation problem. Since 1998 the glenoid prosthesis of the Global Shoulder has been made exclusively of Enduron and is gas sterilized. The primary purpose of this article is to provide orthopaedic surgeons the best information available about Hylamer glenoids. We make suggestions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of the patients who had a Hylamer glenoid inserted between 1990 and 1993.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036513418&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036513418&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1067/mse.2002.121480
DO - 10.1067/mse.2002.121480
M3 - Article
C2 - 11988733
AN - SCOPUS:0036513418
VL - 11
SP - 191
EP - 197
JO - Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
JF - Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
SN - 1058-2746
IS - 2
ER -