We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Release of Nano- and Microplastics from Knee Prostheses: A Review of the Emerging Risks and Biomedical Implications
Summary
This review examined the wear debris generated by polyethylene components in knee prostheses, focusing on nano- and microplastic particle release and systemic health implications. While local effects like osteolysis are well characterized, the authors found that systemic distribution of wear particles to distant organs is underexplored and potentially significant for long-term patient health.
Contemporary knee prostheses rely predominantly on a metal–polyethylene bearing couple, which—despite substantial advances in material engineering—continues to generate polymeric wear particles over time. While the local biological effects of polyethylene debris, such as inflammation and osteolysis, are well-characterised, their potential systemic implications remain insufficiently explored. In this review, we synthesise multidisciplinary evidence to evaluate the generation, biological behaviour, and systemic dissemination of polyethylene-derived nano- and microplastics (NMPs) released from knee prostheses. We also contextualise prosthetic wear within the broader toxicological framework of NMP exposure, highlighting translocation pathways, interactions with immune and metabolic systems, and potential multi-organ effects reported in recent experimental and clinical studies. Current findings suggest that prosthetic wear may represent an under-recognised internal source of NMP exposure, with possible implications for long-term patient health. A clearer understanding of the systemic behaviour of prosthetic-derived NMPs is essential to guide future biomonitoring studies, improve prosthetic materials, and support the development of safer, more biocompatible implant designs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Identification and analysis of microplastics in human lower limb joints
Researchers found microplastics in the joint tissue of all 45 patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, identifying nine different types of plastic. Hip joints contained more microplastics than knee joints, and higher concentrations were linked to increased cellular stress responses. This is one of the first studies to confirm that microplastics accumulate in human joints, raising questions about their potential role in joint disease.
"Micro and Nano Plastic as an Emerging Threat on Human Health"
This review covers the sources, environmental prevalence, and human health effects of micro- and nanoplastics, summarizing how these particles—derived from tire wear, synthetic fibers, and product breakdown—accumulate in and affect major organs including the brain, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system. It identifies gaps in clinical evidence and calls for coordinated research on long-term health impacts.
Micro and Nanoplastics on Human Health and Diseases: Perspectives and Recent Advances
This review covers how micro- and nanoplastic particles enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, infusion, and skin absorption, distribute to virtually all tissues and organs via the circulatory system, and cause health impacts including inflammatory responses, cellular damage, and endocrine disruption.
Micro- and nanoplastics: origin, sources of intake and impact on human health (literature review)
This literature review synthesizes mechanisms by which micro- and nanoplastics interact with living organisms, examining their physicochemical properties, routes of human exposure, and documented health effects across multiple organ systems.
Micro and nano-plastics, a threat to human health?
This review examines the threat micro- and nanoplastics pose to human health, discussing how these persistent particles accumulate in organs including lungs, the gastrointestinal system, and blood, and how their chemical composition and size influence toxicity.