ANALYSIS OF POLYETHYLENE WEAR DEBRIS USING MICRO-RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY -A REPORT ON THE PRESENCE OF BETA-CAROTENE

This paper describes micro-Raman spectroscopy of ultrahigh molecular w eight polyethylene wear debris isolated from revised knee replacements . The novel application of micro-Raman spectroscopy to the analysis of in vivo-generated wear debris was used to evaluate the chemical natur e of individual, retrieved polyethylene particles. The analysis reveal ed the presence of beta-carotene on particles from both synovial fluid and tissue samples. Raman analysis of retrieved polyethylene tibial i nserts also revealed localized beta-carotene signals within the primar y wear region. In this paper, a mechanism is suggested that may accoun t for the coupling of beta-carotene and polyethylene wear debris. We a lso discuss the origin of beta-carotene within the implanted joint and the implications that beta-carotene, an antioxidant, has for the over all host response to polyethylene orthopedic components. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.