Polyethylene synovitis
Encyclopedia
Polyethylene synovitis is an inflammation caused by increased quantities of polyethylene
wear particles in the synovial fluid
of patients who have had joint replacement
surgery.
These patients experience pain in the replaced joint, a swollen joint with signs of increased volume of synovial fluid, and x-ray changes demonstrating increased wear of the polyethylene components. Samples of synovial fluid taken from these patients showed that the synovial fluid was laden with polyethylene particles scratched from the polyethylene joint surfaces.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene or polythene is the most widely used plastic, with an annual production of approximately 80 million metric tons...
wear particles in the synovial fluid
Synovial fluid
Synovial fluid is a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. With its yolk-like consistency , the principal role of synovial fluid is to reduce friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement.-Overview:The inner membrane of synovial joints...
of patients who have had joint replacement
Joint replacement
Replacement arthroplasty [from Greek arthron, joint, limb, articulate, + -plassein, to form, mould, forge, feign, make an image of], or joint replacement surgery, is a procedure of orthopedic surgery in which the arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with an orthopaedic prosthesis...
surgery.
These patients experience pain in the replaced joint, a swollen joint with signs of increased volume of synovial fluid, and x-ray changes demonstrating increased wear of the polyethylene components. Samples of synovial fluid taken from these patients showed that the synovial fluid was laden with polyethylene particles scratched from the polyethylene joint surfaces.