Abstract
The objective of our study was to assess the “in vivo” wear of cross linked polyethylene in contact with different materials surfaces. Thus, we compared the polyethylene acetabular cups wear when they function in a couple with ceramicized metal heads (zirconium oxide) with those in a couple with cobalt chromium metal heads, in total hip arthroplasties. The polyethylene wear was quantified by digital measurements on standardised digital front and lateral view X-rays and the differences were statistically analysed. Keywords: ceramicized metal, polyethylene, hip prosthesis