Abstract
A new design for a total hip prothesis was developed, combining an alumina ball and polyethylene-backed alumina acetabular cup which has an alumina bearing surface. The outer polyethylene surface has grooves for anchoring cement when fixed to the acetabulum. Moreover, the opening rim of the acetabular cup is covered with polyethylene to prevent alumina exposure which results in alumina-metal neck contact and impingement. This design with a polyethylene cover, which makes a major difference in function from those developed by P. Boutine3) and L. Sedel16) , will work to reduce the incidence of metal debris problem between the alumina cup rim and the metal neck, and alumina component fracture and loosening between the accetabular cup and the cement.
