Progressive wear divergence beyond 10 years in ceramic- vs. metal-on-polyethylene bearings: the 25-year impact of zirconia degradation in total hip arthroplasty

MoP and CoP bearings demonstrated similar polyethylene wear characteristics during the first decade after THA. However, a marked divergence emerged in the second decade, with significantly higher wear rates observed in the CoP group, likely attributable to the accelerated progression of zirconia LTD. These findings highlight the long-term implications of ceramic degradation and emphasize the need for careful evaluation of zirconia-based components in THA regarding their durability over time.