Graphene Oxide Composites with Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene for Innovative Prostheses for Arthroplasty

Although ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is commonly used for prosthetic devices in arthroplasty, it is also prone to abrasion and wear. This wear can ultimately result in the release of particles that may trigger aseptic necrosis and activate the immune system. Graphene oxide (GO) incorporated into UHMWPE has been proven to be an effective strategy for improving the mechanical and biological properties of this commercial material. We aimed to incorporate graphene oxide into UHMWPE using an innovative method without toxic solvents and characterize this UHMWPE-GO prosthetic material in terms of its physicochemical and antimicrobial properties. The results showed that the UHMWPE-GO prosthesis, compared to traditional UHMWPE prostheses, exhibited improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, biocompatibility, and increased adhesion in human fibroblasts in culture conditions. Therefore, our work has produced a material for arthroplasty prostheses that offers improved performance and good biocompatibility.