High density polyethylene particles released from the articular surfaces of joint prostheses are phagocytosed by macrophaged. We study the intracelular changes provoked by polyethylene particles using transmitted-light electronic microscopy. Samples from the bone-implant interface were taken from 8 socket replacements that had been operated with total hip arthroplasty using Endler polyethylene threaded socket that failed with migration. As components of the reactived fibrous tissue, the following components were identified: polinuclear macrophages, mononuclear macrophages, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and capilar endotelial cells. We have found many aggregates of extracellular polyethylene mixed with collagen libres. Transmitted-light electronic microscopy helps to identify actived macrophages with an increased lisosomes production. The aggregated intracellular polyethylene has polygonal, prismatic and rectangular shapes in fagolisosomes.

High density polyethylene particles released from the articular surfaces of joint prostheses are phagocytosed by macrophaged. We study the intracelular changes provoked by polyethylene particles using transmitted-light electronic microscopy. Samples from the bone-implant interface were taken from 8 socket replacements that had been operated with total hip arthroplasty using Endler polyethylene threaded socket that failed with migration. As components of the reactived fibrous tissue, the following components were identified: polinuclear macrophages, mononuclear macrophages, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and capilar endotelial cells. We have found many aggregates of extracellular polyethylene mixed with collagen libres. Transmitted-light electronic microscopy helps to identify actived macrophages with an increased lisosomes production. The aggregated intracellular polyethylene has polygonal, prismatic and rectangular shapes in fagolisosomes.