An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer
network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to
be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The
strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a
non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic
macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its
end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The
second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the
presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with
the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking
in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt
solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The
swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network
resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the
IPN.