SEPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE WEAR DEBRIS FROM SYNOVIAL-FLUID AND TISSUE SAMPLES OF REVISED KNEE REPLACEMENTS

A study was made of in vivo-generated polyethylene wear particles as s eparated from synovial fluid samples and from tissue samples surroundi ng total knee arthroplasty. A comparison of particle size and morpholo gy between the two particle groups was made to assess any effects of s elective tissue capture, and macrophage encapsulation and digestion. I n addition, a Raman spectroscopy technique was evaluated that enables positive identification of individual wear particles. The particles of the same size range found in the synovial fluid and tissue samples ex hibited a comparable morphology. Notably, submicron-sized debris was p resent in both the synovial fluid and tissue samples surrounding knees with osteolysis. The novel micro-Raman analysis of individual particl es was successful in the categorizing of wear debris as polyethylene o r nonpolyethylene. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.