Much of Harris' research focuses on osteolysis, the deterioration of bone tissue around joint replacement implants, and developing highly cross-linked polyethylene to counter the issue of osteolysis. Fifteen years of wide spread use of highly cross-linked polyethylene in patients have shown it to be very effective in preventing osteolysis. Harris is also recognized for performing the world's first successful total hip replacement in a patient with a total congenital dislocation of the hip and for developing the first effective cement-free acetabular component.
In addition, Harris is known for developing the Harris Hip Score which rates a patient's progress on pain and function following surgery.[3][4] His work inspired surgical techniques, implant design, development of new operations, prevention of blood clot formation, and other leading advances in hip surgery.
He completed orthopedic training at the Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Harris performed one of the first femoral headautograft procedures and one of the first femoral head allograft procedures: two techniques that are now widely used. Along with his research staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harris was the first to centrifugecement. The Total System, introduced in 1983, was designed by Harris and was the first integrated system offering an entire range of cemented and cementless implants.
Harris was one of the two designers to create the first successful cementless acetabular component. This was the first time screws were put through the acetabular component to fix it to the skeleton. He is also the designer of one of the most successful long-term cemented femoral components.
Harris was Chief of the Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Director of the Harris Orthopedic Laboratory of the Massachusetts General Hospital. He has been Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Harvard Medical School since 1974 and was awarded the Alan Gerry Chair as Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School in 1997.
Harris is a founding member of The Hip Society of North America and served as the organization's first president. He went on to be a founding member and president of the International Hip Society. The Hip Society granted Dr. Harris a record ten honorary awards for outstanding contributions to hip surgery, and he has twice won the Kappa Delta Award of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for outstanding orthopedic research. Dr. Harris is the author of some 520 scientific publications and three textbooks dealing with hip surgery, arthritis and diseases of the skeleton.
Harris, W. H. (2009). "The correlation between minor or unrecognized developmental deformities and the development of osteoarthritis of the hip". Instructional Course Lectures. 58: 257–9. PMID19385539.
Bragdon, C. R.; Kwon, Y. M.; Geller, J. A.; Greene, M. E.; Freiberg, A. A.; Harris, W. H.; Malchau, H (2007). "Minimum 6-year followup of highly cross-linked polyethylene in THA". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 465: 122–7. doi:10.1097/BLO.0b013e31815760b1. PMID18090469. S2CID22859594.
Bragdon, C. R.; Greene, M. E.; Freiberg, A. A.; Harris, W. H.; Malchau, H (2007). "Radiostereometric analysis comparison of wear of highly cross-linked polyethylene against 36- vs 28-mm femoral heads". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 22 (6 Suppl 2): 125–9. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.03.009. PMID17823030.
Estok Dm, 2nd; Burroughs, B. R.; Muratoglu, O. K.; Harris, W. H. (2007). "Comparison of hip simulator wear of 2 different highly cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular components using both 32- and 38-mm femoral heads". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 22 (4): 581–9. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.07.009. PMID17562417.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Muratoglu, O. K.; Rubash, H. E.; Bragdon, C. R.; Burroughs, B. R.; Huang, A; Harris, W. H. (2007). "Simulated normal gait wear testing of a highly cross-linked polyethylene tibial insert". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 22 (3): 435–44. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.07.014. PMID17400100.
Duffy, G. P.; Lozynsky, A. J.; Harris, W. H. (2006). "Polished vs rough femoral components in grade a and grade C-2 cement mantles". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 21 (7): 1054–63. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2005.07.018. PMID17027551.
Wannomae, K. K.; Bhattacharyya, S; Freiberg, A; Estok, D; Harris, W. H.; Muratoglu, O (2006). "In vivo oxidation of retrieved cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene acetabular components with residual free radicals". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 21 (7): 1005–11. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2005.07.019. PMID17027543.
Bragdon, C. R.; Barrett, S; Martell, J. M.; Greene, M. E.; Malchau, H; Harris, W. H. (2006). "Steady-state penetration rates of electron beam-irradiated, highly cross-linked polyethylene at an average 45-month follow-up". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 21 (7): 935–43. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.01.006. PMID17027534.
Hendricks, K. J.; Harris, W. H. (2006). "High placement of noncemented acetabular components in revision total hip arthroplasty. A concise follow-up, at a minimum of fifteen years, of a previous report". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 88 (10): 2231–6. doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00247. PMID17015601.
Bragdon, C. R.; Martell, J. M.; Greene, M. E.; Estok Dm, 2nd; Thanner, J; Kärrholm, J; Harris, W. H.; Malchau, H (2006). "Comparison of femoral head penetration using RSA and the Martell method". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 448: 52–7. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000224018.88410.83. PMID16826096. S2CID10392196.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Bragdon, C. R.; Thanner, J; Greene, M. E.; Malchau, H; Digas, G; Harris, W. H.; Kärrholm, J (2006). "Standing versus supine radiographs in RSA evaluation of femoral head penetration". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 448: 46–51. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000224012.50292.67. PMID16826095. S2CID45931929.
Hampton, B. J.; Harris, W. H. (2006). "Primary cementless acetabular components in hips with severe developmental dysplasia or total dislocation. A concise follow-up, at an average of sixteen years, of a previous report". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 88 (7): 1549–52. doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00624. PMID16818981.
Geller, J. A.; Malchau, H; Bragdon, C; Greene, M; Harris, W. H.; Freiberg, A. A. (2006). "Large diameter femoral heads on highly cross-linked polyethylene: Minimum 3-year results". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 447: 53–9. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000218742.61624.80. PMID16741475. S2CID10035649.
Hendricks, K. J.; Harris, W. H. (2006). "Revision of failed acetabular components with use of so-called jumbo noncemented components. A concise follow-up of a previous report". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 88 (3): 559–63. doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00389. PMID16510823.
Jamali, A. A.; Lozynsky, A. J.; Harris, W. H. (2006). "The effect of surface finish and of vertical ribs on the stability of a cemented femoral stem: An in vitro stair climbing test". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 21 (1): 122–8. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2005.05.018. PMID16446196.
Wannomae, K. K.; Christensen, S. D.; Freiberg, A. A.; Bhattacharyya, S; Harris, W. H.; Muratoglu, O. K. (2006). "The effect of real-time aging on the oxidation and wear of highly cross-linked UHMWPE acetabular liners". Biomaterials. 27 (9): 1980–7. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.10.002. PMID16271756.
Manning, D. W.; Ponce, B. A.; Chiang, P. P.; Harris, W. H.; Burke, D. W. (2005). "Isolated acetabular revision through the posterior approach: Short-term results after revision of a recalled acetabular component". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 20 (6): 723–9. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.11.009. PMID16139708.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Wannomae, K; Christensen, S; Rubash, H. E.; Harris, W. H. (2005). "Ex vivo wear of conventional and cross-linked polyethylene acetabular liners". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 438 (438): 158–64. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000164407.02998.8d. PMID16131885. S2CID40576670.
Bragdon, C. R.; Doherty, A. M.; Jasty, M; Rubash, H; Harris, W. H. (2005). "Effect of oral alendronate on net bone ingrowth into canine cementless total hips". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 20 (2): 258–63. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.03.027. PMID15902867.
Estok Dm, 2nd; Bragdon, C. R.; Plank, G. R.; Huang, A; Muratoglu, O. K.; Harris, W. H. (2005). "The measurement of creep in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene: A comparison of conventional versus highly cross-linked polyethylene". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 20 (2): 239–43. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.08.008. PMID15902864.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Bragdon, C. R.; Jasty, M; Muratoglu, O. K.; Harris, W. H. (2005). "Third-body wear testing of a highly cross-linked acetabular liner: The effect of large femoral head size in the presence of particulate poly(methyl-methacrylate) debris". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 20 (3): 379–85. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.09.035. PMID15809958.
Bragdon, C. R.; Jasty, M; Greene, M; Rubash, H. E.; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Biologic fixation of total hip implants. Insights gained from a series of canine studies". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 86-A Suppl 2: 105–17. doi:10.2106/00004623-200412002-00015. PMID15691115.
Harris, W. H.; Muratoglu, O. K. (2005). "A review of current cross-linked polyethylenes used in total joint arthroplasty". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 430 (430): 46–52. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000152603.58384.e9. PMID15662303.
Burroughs, B. R.; Hallstrom, B; Golladay, G. J.; Hoeffel, D; Harris, W. H. (2005). "Range of motion and stability in total hip arthroplasty with 28-, 32-, 38-, and 44-mm femoral head sizes". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 20 (1): 11–9. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.07.008. PMID15660054.
Harris, W. H. (2004). "Highly cross-linked, electron-beam-irradiated, melted polyethylene: Some pros". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (429): 63–7. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000149827.55160.42. PMID15577467.
Harris, W. H. (2004). "Conquest of a worldwide human disease: Particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (429): 39–42. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000149821.72760.39. PMID15577463.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Burroughs, B. R.; Bragdon, C. R.; Christensen, S; Lozynsky, A; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Knee simulator wear of polyethylene tibias articulating against explanted rough femoral components". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 428 (428): 108–13. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000143801.41885.8b. PMID15534529. S2CID25891144.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Bragdon, C. R.; Jasty, M; O'Connor, D. O.; von Knoch, R. S.; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Knee-simulator testing of conventional and cross-linked polyethylene tibial inserts". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 19 (7): 887–97. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2004.03.019. PMID15483806.
Jamali, A. A.; Dungy, D. S.; Mark, A; Schule, S; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Isolated acetabular revision with use of the Harris-Galante Cementless Component. Study with intermediate-term follow-up". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 86-A (8): 1690–7. doi:10.2106/00004623-200408000-00012. PMID15292416. S2CID10805404.
O'Keefe Jr, J. H.; Cordain, L; Harris, W. H.; Moe, R. M.; Vogel, R (2004). "Optimal low-density lipoprotein is 50 to 70 mg/dl: Lower is better and physiologically normal". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 43 (11): 2142–6. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2004.03.046. PMID15172426.
Hallstrom, B. R.; Golladay, G. J.; Vittetoe, D. A.; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Cementless acetabular revision with the Harris-Galante porous prosthesis. Results after a minimum of ten years of follow-up". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 86-A (5): 1007–11. doi:10.2106/00004623-200405000-00018. PMID15118045.
Bragdon, C. R.; Estok, D. M.; Malchau, H; Kärrholm, J; Yuan, X; Bourne, R; Veldhoven, J; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Comparison of two digital radiostereometric analysis methods in the determination of femoral head penetration in a total hip replacement phantom". Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 22 (3): 659–64. doi:10.1016/j.orthres.2003.09.004. PMID15099649. S2CID42174432.
Bozic, K. J.; Freiberg, A. A.; Harris, W. H. (2004). "The high hip center". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 420 (420): 101–5. doi:10.1097/00003086-200403000-00014. PMID15057084.
Greenbaum, E. S.; Burroughs, B. B.; Harris, W. H.; Muratoglu, O. K. (2004). "Effect of lipid absorption on wear and compressive properties of unirradiated and highly crosslinked UHMWPE: An in vitro experimental model". Biomaterials. 25 (18): 4479–84. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.11.049. PMID15046938.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Greenbaum, E. S.; Bragdon, C. R.; Jasty, M; Freiberg, A. A.; Harris, W. H. (2004). "Surface analysis of early retrieved acetabular polyethylene liners: A comparison of conventional and highly crosslinked polyethylenes". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 19 (1): 68–77. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2003.08.003. PMID14716654.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Merrill, E. W.; Bragdon, C. R.; O'Connor, D; Hoeffel, D; Burroughs, B; Jasty, M; Harris, W. H. (2003). "Effect of radiation, heat, and aging on in vitro wear resistance of polyethylene". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 416 (417): 253–62. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000093004.90435.d1. PMID14646724. S2CID35609707.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Ruberti, J; Melotti, S; Spiegelberg, S. H.; Greenbaum, E. S.; Harris, W. H. (2003). "Optical analysis of surface changes on early retrievals of highly cross-linked and conventional polyethylene tibial inserts". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 18 (7 Suppl 1): 42–7. doi:10.1016/s0883-5403(03)00293-6. PMID14560410.
Bragdon, C. R.; Jasty, M; Muratoglu, O. K.; O'Connor, D. O.; Harris, W. H. (2003). "Third-body wear of highly cross-linked polyethylene in a hip simulator". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 18 (5): 553–61. doi:10.1016/s0883-5403(03)00146-3. PMID12934205.
Harris, W. H. (2003). ""The lysis threshold": An erroneous and perhaps misleading concept?". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 18 (4): 506–10. doi:10.1016/s0883-5403(03)00153-0. PMID12820096.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Perinchief, R. S.; Bragdon, C. R.; O'Connor, D. O.; Konrad, R; Harris, W. H. (2003). "Metrology to quantify wear and creep of polyethylene tibial knee inserts". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 410 (410): 155–64. doi:10.1097/01.blo.0000063604.67412.04. PMID12771826. S2CID9012599.
Gul, R. M.; McGarry, F. J.; Bragdon, C. R.; Muratoglu, O. K.; Harris, W. H. (2003). "Effect of consolidation on adhesive and abrasive wear of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene". Biomaterials. 24 (19): 3193–9. doi:10.1016/s0142-9612(03)00165-0. PMID12763446.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Delaney, J; O'Connor, D. O.; Harris, W. H. (2003). "The use of trans-vinylene formation in quantifying the spatial distribution of electron beam penetration in polyethylene. Single-sided, double-sided and shielded irradiation". Biomaterials. 24 (12): 2021–9. doi:10.1016/s0142-9612(02)00632-4. PMID12628821.
Katz, J. N.; Phillips, C. B.; Baron, J. A.; Fossel, A. H.; Mahomed, N. N.; Barrett, J; Lingard, E. A.; Harris, W. H.; Poss, R; Lew, R. A.; Guadagnoli, E; Wright, E. A.; Losina, E (2003). "Association of hospital and surgeon volume of total hip replacement with functional status and satisfaction three years following surgery". Arthritis & Rheumatism. 48 (2): 560–8. doi:10.1002/art.10754. PMID12571867.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Mark, A; Vittetoe, D. A.; Harris, W. H.; Rubash, H. E. (2003). "Polyethylene damage in total knees and use of highly crosslinked polyethylene". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 85-A Suppl 1: S7 –S13. doi:10.2106/00004623-200300001-00003. PMID12540663.
Mahomed, N. N.; Barrett, J. A.; Katz, J. N.; Phillips, C. B.; Losina, E; Lew, R. A.; Guadagnoli, E; Harris, W. H.; Poss, R; Baron, J. A. (2003). "Rates and outcomes of primary and revision total hip replacement in the United States medicare population". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 85-A (1): 27–32. doi:10.2106/00004623-200301000-00005. PMID12533568. S2CID12046907.
Phillips, C. B.; Barrett, J. A.; Losina, E; Mahomed, N. N.; Lingard, E. A.; Guadagnoli, E; Baron, J. A.; Harris, W. H.; Poss, R; Katz, J. N. (2003). "Incidence rates of dislocation, pulmonary embolism, and deep infection during the first six months after elective total hip replacement". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 85-A (1): 20–6. doi:10.2106/00004623-200301000-00004. PMID12533567. S2CID25064643.
Burroughs, B. R.; Rubash, H. E.; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Femoral head sizes larger than 32 mm against highly cross-linked polyethylene". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 405 (405): 150–7. doi:10.1097/00003086-200212000-00018. PMID12461367.
Maloney, W. J.; Schmalzried, T; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Analysis of long-term cemented total hip arthroplasty retrievals". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 405 (405): 70–8. doi:10.1097/00003086-200212000-00009. PMID12461358. S2CID33346613.
Muratoglu, O. K.; Bragdon, C. R.; O'Connor, D. O.; Perinchief, R. S.; Jasty, M; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Aggressive wear testing of a cross-linked polyethylene in total knee arthroplasty". Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 404 (404): 89–95. doi:10.1097/00003086-200211000-00015. PMID12439243. S2CID24231637.
Behairy, Y. M.; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Mode of loosening of matt-finished femoral stems in primary total hip replacement". Saudi Medical Journal. 23 (10): 1187–94. PMID12436120.
Bragdon, C. R.; Malchau, H; Yuan, X; Perinchief, R; Kärrholm, J; Börlin, N; Estok, D. M.; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Experimental assessment of precision and accuracy of radiostereometric analysis for the determination of polyethylene wear in a total hip replacement model". Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 20 (4): 688–95. doi:10.1016/S0736-0266(01)00171-1. PMID12168656. S2CID8354839.
Harrington Jr, M. A.; O'Connor, D. O.; Lozynsky, A. J.; Kovach, I; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Effects of femoral neck length, stem size, and body weight on strains in the proximal cement mantle". The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 84-A (4): 573–9. doi:10.2106/00004623-200204000-00010. PMID11940617. S2CID36823992.
Andrews, P; Barrack, R. L.; Harris, W. H. (2002). "Stress fracture of the medial wall of the acetabulum adjacent to a cementless acetabular component". The Journal of Arthroplasty. 17 (1): 117–20. doi:10.1054/arth.2002.28733. PMID11805938.
Muratoglu, O. K.; O'Connor, D. O.; Bragdon, C. R.; Delaney, J; Jasty, M; Harris, W. H.; Merrill, E; Venugopalan, P (2002). "Gradient crosslinking of UHMWPE using irradiation in molten state for total joint arthroplasty". Biomaterials. 23 (3): 717–24. doi:10.1016/s0142-9612(01)00176-4. PMID11771692.
^Atkinson, Karen; Coutts, Fiona; Hassenkamp, Anne-Marie (2005). Physiotherapy in Orthopaedics: A Problem-solving Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 237. ISBN9780443074066.