Michael L Knudsen1, Benjamin R Coobs1, Richard F Kyle2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue South, Suite R200, Minneapolis, MN 55454. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Hennepin County Medical Center, 701 Park Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55415. E-mail address: richard.kyle@hcmed.org.
Abstract
CASE: We describe a case of total hip arthroplasty failure where a cobalt-chrome femoral head completely wore through the polyethylene liner and the titanium acetabular cup. The patient subsequently underwent revision total hip arthroplasty with acetabular revision and femoral head exchange. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the natural history of catastrophic failure in a metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty design. If recognized earlier, this patient may have been a candidate for isolated liner and head exchange. Additionally, this case represents a unique complication in using mixed metals in total hip arthroplasty, where the harder cobalt-chrome femoral head wore completely through the much softer titanium component.
CASE: We describe a case of total hip arthroplasty failure where a cobalt-chrome femoral head completely wore through the polyethylene liner and the titanium acetabular cup. The patient subsequently underwent revision total hip arthroplasty with acetabular revision and femoral head exchange. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the natural history of catastrophic failure in a metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty design. If recognized earlier, this patient may have been a candidate for isolated liner and head exchange. Additionally, this case represents a unique complication in using mixed metals in total hip arthroplasty, where the harder cobalt-chrome femoral head wore completely through the much softer titanium component.