TOPIC: RANDOM MIX
Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) drastically reduced wear rates in THA. The cross-linking process requires high-dose gamma irradiation. What mandatory processing step must be performed immediately after irradiation to prevent catastrophic long-term oxidative degradation?
A
Thermal treatment (remelting or annealing) to rapidly extinguish trapped free radicals
B
Coating the articular bearing surface with a thin layer of titanium nitride
C
Submerging the polyethylene insert in a concentrated antibiotic and saline bath
D
Pressurizing the polyethylene construct within a highly oxygenated environment