United Orthopedic Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have cleared its vitamin E highly cross-linked polyethylene (E-XPETM) hip liner. The E-XPE™ is the new generation of highly cross-linked polyethylene blended with vitamin E to enhance wear resistance without compromising oxidative stability and mechanical properties. Vitamin E is an effective biological antioxidant which helps prevent the oxidative degradation of cell membrane phospholipids. When added to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene vitamin E performs a similar role by helping to prevent oxidation of the polyethylene chains.1 Vitamin E -stabilized UHMWPE is a biocompatible material with good mechanical, wear, and oxidative proprieties. Results from accelerated aging tests show that E-XPE inserts and liners exhibited a 60% and 75% reduction, respectively, in gravimetric wear2. E-XPE material provides greater strength in comparison to re-melted highly crosslinked polyethylene while maintaining oxidation resistance as demonstrated in mechanical tests.